System for parcel pickup and delivery operated responsive to data bearing records

ABSTRACT

A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartment spaces. Access to each of the enclosed compartment spaces is controlled by a respective door which is in operative connection with the respective lock. Central control circuitry in operative connection with the repositories is operative to control access to the compartment spaces and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom. Exemplary arrangements provide for the pickup of parcels at initial pickup addresses at which shipments originate and deliveries to final delivery addresses of parcel recipients.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a depository apparatus and system thatoperates to control and record the receipt and removal of deposit itemsin response to data bearing records. Exemplary arrangements relate tosystems that facilitate the pickup and delivery of items.

BACKGROUND

Depositories that operate to accept deposit items from users have beenimplemented in a number of different business environments. Commonlydepositories are implemented for receiving items that are to be providedto an owner of the depository. For example, depositories have beenimplemented to receive financial deposits, utility bill payments orother items of value which are to be provided only to the bank, utilitycompany or other entity that operates the depository. Generally thedepositories are implemented so that once an item has been depositedtherein by the user, only an authorized representative of the depositoryoperator is enabled to access the deposited items and remove them fromthe depository for further processing.

Various endeavors have been made to improve depositories and theprocesses associated with the receipt and removal of deposit items.However, depositories and depository systems may benefit fromimprovements.

SUMMARY

The exemplary arrangements described herein relate to depositories(which are alternatively referred to herein as repositories) andassociated systems that operate to accept and make available deposititems such as parcels to authorized users responsive at least in part todata read from data bearing records. Each exemplary depository includesa body that bounds an interior area which is configured to hold deposititems. The exemplary interior area includes one or more compartmentseach of which is accessible through a respective opening. Access throughthe opening to each compartment interior area is controlled by arespective door that is mounted in connection with the body and ismovable between open and closed positions. An electronic lock isassociated with each door. The lock is selectively changeable betweenlocked and unlocked conditions. In the locked condition the lock isoperative to hold the door in the closed position preventing access tothe compartment.

The exemplary depository is in operative connection with at least onesensor comprising a reading device. The reading device is configured toread indicia on items such as parcels that are positionable within theinterior area. The exemplary embodiment further includes at least oneinput device. The at least one input device is usable to input datawhich enables authorized users to access the interior area of thedepository.

In the exemplary arrangement the depository includes control circuitry.The control circuitry is in operative connection with the at least onereading device, the at least one input device, each of the locks and atleast one wireless communication device. Responsive to the receipt ofuser identifying information from data bearing records through the atleast one input device, the control circuitry is operative to cause anaccess determination to be made that the received user identifyinginformation corresponds to stored data associated with an authorizeduser that is authorized to access the interior area of the depository.Responsive at least in part to the determination that the data bearingrecord data corresponds to an authorized user, a lock associated with atleast one compartment is changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition such that the authorized user can open the door andaccess the compartment interior area.

The exemplary control circuitry is further operative to receive from theat least one reading device item indicia from a deposit item that iseither being placed in or removed from the interior area. The exemplarycontrol circuitry is further operative responsive to the at least onereading device to determine an action status indicative of whether thedeposit item is removed from or placed into the interior area. An itemdetermination is made through operation of the control circuitryconcerning whether the item indicia that is read from the deposit itemcorresponds to stored data associated with a deposit item to be placedinto or removed from the interior area of the depository by theauthorized user.

Once the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interiorarea of the depository, the door is closed and the control circuitry isoperative to return the lock to the locked condition. A system inoperative connection with the exemplary control circuitry is operativeto track the status of the deposit item. This may include for example,tracking transport of the deposit item to another depository into whichthe item can be deposited by the authorized user who removed it from thefirst depository, so that the item may then undergo further processingactivity. Alternatively, the system may enable a further authorized userto access and remove a deposit item that had been previously placed inthe depository, and track the receipt of the deposit item by anauthorized user that is the authorized recipient of the item.Depositories may include one or a plurality of interior areas the accessto each of which is selectively controlled by a respective door and arespective lock.

Exemplary embodiments of the control circuitry associated with thedepository enable determining the available space in the interior area.This enables evaluating whether the depository or a compartment thereinhas space available to accept a further deposit item prior to a user whois seeking to deposit an item being directed to the depository. Otherexemplary arrangements include one or more indicators which operateresponsive to the control circuitry and the at least one reading device,to provide indications to users that they have placed or removed properdeposit items from the interior area. Other exemplary arrangementsinclude the ability for the depository to provide audit information thatincludes identifying indicia associated with deposit items currentlypositioned in the interior area, as well as data regarding itemspreviously placed in or removed from the depository. Exemplaryarrangements may also capture and store images of users and deposititems to further provide records of activities conducted at thedepository. Further exemplary arrangements provide information to itemcarriers that transport items between depositories and that pickup anddeliver deposit items at customer locations

Numerous other features and arrangements may be used in exemplarysystems to provide reliable, cost-effective deposit, pickup, deliveryand item tracking capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a depository of an exemplary embodimentwith access to the interior area thereof closed, and a portable wirelessdevice which may be used in conjunction with operation of thedepository.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the interior area of thedepository accessible from outside the depository.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of exemplary control circuitry used inconnection with the depository.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a network in which the exemplarydepository may be operative.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portable wireless device that is usable by anauthorized user of the depository in connection with obtaining accessthereto for placing items into or removing items from the interior areaof the depository.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the circuitry associated with the deviceof FIG. 5 and an associated system for producing data bearing recordsthat can be associated with deposit items.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the portable wireless device that may be usedby an authorized user to access the interior area of a depository forpurposes of taking deposit items therein for transport.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of circuitry associated with the device ofFIG. 7, including the capabilities for tracking the device and deposititems associated with the user thereof.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of types of data bearing records included inan exemplary system related to authorized users who transport deposititems between depositories.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing recordsincluded in an exemplary system associated with depositories related toauthorized users who place deposit items in depositories for subsequenttransport and/or who remove items from depositories for purposes ofreceiving such items.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing recordsincluded in an exemplary system which relate to entities that are theowners of the exemplary depositories.

FIGS. 12 through 27 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of the exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users whoplace deposit items into and/or remove deposit items from thedepositories.

FIGS. 28 through 30 are a schematic representation logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of an exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users inconnection with removing a deposit item from a depository.

FIGS. 31 through 34 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of the exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users inconnection with delivery and payment associated with a deposit itemplaced in the depository.

FIG. 35 is a block schematic overview depicting the modules inassociation with the controller and sensor/actuator array.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a repository embodiment according toaspects of exemplary systems.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the repository depicted inFIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the repository shown in FIG. 36, with aparcel delivery chute door in a partially opened position.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the repository shown in FIG. 36, with aparcel delivery chute door in a fully opened position.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram representation of a controller boardaccording to an exemplary arrangement.

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic representation of a controller boardprocessor/memory and peripherals interface.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram representation of control, data, and addressmessaging between a processor, a peripherals interface and peripheralI/O devices.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram of a controller board according to anexemplary arrangement, showing various peripherals, interface busexamples, power supply and a number of examples of peripherals.

FIG. 44 is a detailed layout of an exemplary embodiment showing acontroller board with connections to various peripherals, a connectionto a delivery lock box and its associated peripherals.

FIGS. 45 through 48 are views of an alternative item repositoryincluding a plurality of selectively accessible interior areas forhousing delivery items.

FIG. 49 is a schematic view of a system for the delivery of deliveryitems.

FIG. 50 is a schematic view of system circuitry associated with adelivery item system.

FIG. 51 is a representation of a plurality of parcel repositories andgeographical catchment areas that are associated with respectiverepositories.

FIGS. 52 through 56 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by system circuitry to determine routing for a parcel to a finaldelivery destination.

FIGS. 57 through 60 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by system circuitry for determining routing to a selected repositoryof a parcel that is being picked up from a shipment initiating address.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein an exemplary depository generally indicated 10. A depository isalternatively referred to herein as a repository. The exemplarydepository shown includes a body 12 which bounds an interior area 14(see FIG. 2). The interior area 14 is accessible from outside the body12 through an opening 16. A door 18 is movably mounted in operativeconnection with the body through hinged connections. The door 18 issized for closing the opening 16 when the door is in a closed positionas shown in FIG. 1. The door 18 is movable to an open position shown inFIG. 2 in which at least a portion of the door is disposed from theopening 16 and the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the body12.

The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one input device20. In the exemplary embodiment the at least one input device includes amanually accessible input device that is operatively accessible when thedoor is in the closed position. In some exemplary embodiments the atleast one input device 20 includes a keypad through which codes can bemanually input. Further in exemplary arrangements the at least one inputdevice includes a radio frequency (RF) input device such as a wirelesstransceiver that is operative to communicate wireless signals with aportable wireless device 22. In some exemplary arrangements the RF inputdevice may include a wireless communication device that is operative tocommunicate signals via a Bluetooth, NFC, cellular or other wirelesscommunication method.

In other exemplary embodiments input devices may include other types ofreaders or devices that are operative to receive or read indicia.Exemplary input devices may include without limitation, card readers,token readers, barcode readers, infrared readers or other types ofdevices that may receive inputs that are usable to determine whetheraccess to the depository should be provided. Of course it should beunderstood that multiple different types of input devices may be used inoperative connection with a single depository depending on the accessrequirements thereto.

The exemplary depository further includes at least one electricallyactuated lock 24. In the exemplary embodiment the lock is changeablebetween a locked condition in which the door 18 is held in a closedposition, and an unlocked condition in which the door is enabled to bemoved from the closed position to the open position. The exemplarydepository is in operative connection with at least one sensor whichcomprises a reading device 26. In the exemplary embodiment the at leastone reading device may include one or a plurality of image capturedevices including at least one camera. In other arrangements the readermay comprise a portable wireless device. The at least one reading deviceof the exemplary arrangement is usable to read machine readable indicia28 that is included on deposit items 30. In exemplary arrangements thereading devices 26 are operative to read indicia such as bar codes(including without limitation two-dimensional bar codes and QR codes)that are included on deposit items. Further in exemplary arrangementsthe at least one reading device is operative to capture informationusable to make a status determination that a deposit item is removedfrom or placed into the interior area of the depository. It should beunderstood however that although in the exemplary embodiment the sensorscomprising reading devices operate to read visible indicia and captureimages, in other arrangements other types of reading devices that readdifferent types of signals or indicia may be utilized. This may includefor example, card readers, fingerprint readers or other types ofbiometric readers including cameras or microphones, LIDAR image capturedevices and readers that are capable of communicating using wirelesssignals such as the wireless input devices previously discussed.

The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one indicator 32.As later discussed, the exemplary at least one indicator may include anoutput device operative to provide an indication as to whether a deposititem that is being placed in or removed from the interior area of thedepository is a correct item to be removed by the particular user whohas accessed the depository. In other exemplary arrangements the atleast one indicator may include an output device in operative connectionwith the depository, such as an output device of a user's portablewireless device. The exemplary depository further includes at least onesensor that comprises a weight sensor 43. The at least one weight sensoris usable to determine the weight of one or more items that are withinan interior area of the depository. The exemplary depository furtherincludes a wireless communication device 34. The wireless communicationdevice which is alternatively referred to herein as a wirelesscommunication portal or a wireless communication interface is operativeto enable the control circuitry associated with the depository tocommunicate with one or more local or remote systems or devices as laterdiscussed. In some arrangements the wireless communications device mayinclude a wireless input device 20. Exemplary depository 10 furtherincludes solar panels 36. The exemplary solar panels 36 are in supportedconnection with the door 18 and are suitable for providing electricalpower to the depository from exposure of the solar panels to sunlight.In the exemplary arrangement a manually engageable handle 38 is inoperative connection with the door 18 to facilitate the manual openingand closing thereof by authorized users. Of course it should beunderstood that these depository devices and configurations areexemplary and in other embodiments other configurations may be used.

As shown schematically in FIG. 3 the exemplary depository is inoperative correction with control circuitry 40. The exemplary controlcircuitry includes one or more circuits which are operative tocommunicate electrical signals and control the operation of the devicesof the depository. The control circuitry may be located proximate to thedepository or may have some portions remotely located therefrom. In theexemplary arrangement the control circuitry 40 includes at least onecircuit including at least one processor schematically indicated 42 andat least one data store schematically indicated 44. In exemplaryarrangements the processor may include a processor suitable for carryingout circuit executable instructions that are stored in the one or moreassociated data stores. The processor includes or is in operativeconnection with a non-volatile storage medium including instructionsthat include a basic input/output system (BIOS). For example, theprocessor may correspond to one or more of a combination of a CPU, FPGA,ASIC or any other integrated circuit or other type of circuit that iscapable of processing data and instructions. The one or more data storesmay correspond to one or more of volatile or non-volatile memories suchas random access memory, flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory,solid state memory or other devices that are operative to store computerexecutable instructions and data. Processor executable instructions mayinclude instructions in any of a plurality of programming languages andformats including, without limitation, routines, subroutines, programs,scripts, threads of execution, objects, methodologies and functionswhich carry out the actions such as those described herein. Structuresfor processors may include, correspond to and utilize the principlesdescribed in the textbook entitled Microprocessor Architecture,Programming and Applications with the 8085 by Ramesh S. Gaonker (PenramInternational Publishing 2013), which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Exemplary arrangements may include processorsmade by Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices or other suitabletypes of processors. Of course it should be understood that theseprocessors are exemplary of many types of processors that may be used.

The exemplary data stores used in connection with exemplary embodimentsmay include one or more of several types of mediums suitable for holdingcircuit executable instructions and data. Such instructions and data maybe non-transitory. These may include for example, magnetic media,optical media, solid-state media or other types of media such as RAM,ROM, PROM, flash memory, computer hard drives or any other form of mediasuitable for holding data and circuit executable instructions. Exemplarycontrol circuitry may include other components such as hardware and/orsoftware interfaces for communication with devices within the depositoryor for communication with external devices and systems. The exemplarycontrol circuitry 40 further includes a clock 46. The clock is operativeto provide time functions in connection with operation of the depositoryand associated systems as later discussed.

As represented in FIG. 3 the control circuitry 40 is in operativeconnection with the at least one input device 20, the lock 24 and the atleast one sensor including the at least one reading device 26. Thecontrol circuitry 40 is further in operative connection with the atleast one indicator 32, the at least one weight sensor 43 and the atleast one wireless communication device 34. In the exemplary arrangementthe devices of the depository and the control circuitry are powered by abattery 48. The battery 48 is in operative connection with the solarpanels 36. The control circuitry is operative to control the delivery ofpower to the battery such that the battery maintains a suitable powerlevel for operating the depository during both light and darkness.However other embodiments may include other power sources, including theability to connect to a suitable available supply of household currentor other power for purposes of operating the depository.

While the exemplary depository includes a single interior area forholding deposit items, other depositories may have other configurations.Such other configurations may include a plurality of interior areas orcompartments, each of which are accessible via a respective opening,each of which openings has an associated closable door, drawer or otherclosure member, each of which is referred to herein as a door forbrevity. Exemplary arrangements of depositories including a plurality ofinterior areas are discussed hereafter in this detailed description.

FIG. 4 shows schematically an exemplary network 50 in which depository10 may be operated. It should be understood that this exemplary networkarrangement is shown schematically and in exemplary arrangements thenetwork may include a plurality of interconnected networks.

In the exemplary arrangement a plurality of depositories 10, 52, 54, 56and 58 are in operative connection with the network. In some exemplaryarrangements all these depositories may be similar to depository 10previously discussed. The control circuitry associated with each of thedepositories is operative to communicate in the network through therespective wireless communication device associated with the depositorywhich may be alternatively referred to herein as a wireless transceiver.Of course it should be understood that in other arrangements thedepositories may be in operative connection with one or more networksvia other wired or wireless communication methods. Further it should beunderstood that exemplary embodiments may include a much larger numberof depositories than is represented in FIG. 4.

The exemplary network 50 is in operative connection with central systemcircuitry 60. The exemplary central circuitry includes one or moreprocessors and data stores of the types previously discussed. In somearrangements the central system circuitry 60 which is alternativelyreferred to herein as central or control circuitry, may include one ormore servers that are in operative connection with associated datastores 62 and that perform the functions hereinafter described. Theexemplary central system circuitry includes or is in operativeconnection with a clock schematically indicated 61. Exemplaryarrangements may include central system circuitry located at a singlelocation, or central system circuitry in a distributed arrangement ofcontrol circuitry which operates in a cloud environment, virtual serverenvironment or other suitable environment for performing the functionsdescribed herein. Numerous different types of central system circuitryarrangements may be utilized in connection with exemplary embodiments.

The exemplary network further includes a plurality of portable wirelessdevices that are operated by users who wish to send deposit items toothers or to receive deposit items from others through the use of thedepositories and associated system. Devices 64, 66 and 68 in FIG. 4 arerepresentative of devices associated with individuals who send and/orreceive deposit items.

In exemplary arrangements the devices may comprise portable wirelessdevices associated with users who are registered users of the system. Insome exemplary arrangements the registered users may have stored in atleast one data store associated with the central system circuitry, useridentifying data such as an ID token that uniquely identifies theregistered user, contact data associated with a device of the registereduser such as a communication address such as a phone number or networkaddress associated with a user's portable wireless device, funds sourcedata that corresponds to a source of funds such as a credit or debitcard account or similar monetary account which in exemplary arrangementsmay be credited or debited through operation of the system, as well asother associated data. Of course it should be understood that this datathat is associated with registered system users is exemplary and inother arrangements other types of registered user information may beutilized.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exemplary portable wireless device 64 that is usedby such users in the exemplary network. Devices 66 and 68 may be similarto device 64. Device 64 in some exemplary arrangements may include aportable smart phone, a tablet or other portable wireless device whichincludes user input devices and user output devices such as anassociated touchscreen 70. The exemplary device 64 may include otherinput devices such as a camera 72, as well as an audio input device suchas a microphone 74 and an audio output device such as a speaker 76. Abiometric reader such as the camera, the microphone or other reader suchas a fingerprint reader may also be included. The exemplary device 64further includes at least one wireless communication device 78. The atleast one wireless communication device may include a device suitablefor Wi-Fi or cellular communications. The at least one wirelesscommunication device 78 may also include a local RF communication devicefor providing Bluetooth or NFC communication. Of course these devicesare exemplary.

The exemplary device further includes control circuitry 80. The controlcircuitry is similar to that previously discussed and may include atleast one processor 82 and at least one data store like those previouslydescribed. The exemplary control circuitry is in operative connectionwith the component devices of the device 64 as shown in FIG. 6. Inaddition to communicating in the network 50, the exemplary device 64 isalso enabled to communicate with other devices in other networks such asnetwork 86. Network 86 may include a printer 88 or other device that isoperative to produce data bearing records 90. Such data bearing recordsmay include labels bearing parcel identifying indicia or other datasuitable for use in connection with the exemplary embodiments laterdiscussed.

The exemplary network 50 is also in communication with the plurality ofportable wireless devices associated with individuals who are itemcarriers that transport deposit items between depositories. Itemcarriers may be alternatively referred to herein as item handlers. Theseportable wireless devices schematically indicated 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100may be used by authorized and/or registered system users to accessdepositories for purposes of placing deposit items therein or removingdeposit items therefrom. Deposit items are alternatively referred toherein as delivery items or parcels.

As represented in FIGS. 7 and 8 the exemplary portable wireless devicessuch as device 92, that is operated as a carrier contact device by anindividual user who is an item carrier that transports deposit items,may include mobile phone devices including an input output device suchas a touchscreen 102. Exemplary device 92 may further include a camera104, as well as a microphone 106 and a speaker 108. It may also includeother types of biometric readers and other devices. The exemplary device92 further includes at least one wireless communication device 110. Theat least one wireless communication device 110 may include a Wi-Fiinterface, cellular phone interface, Bluetooth, NFC or other wirelessinterface of the types previously discussed. Further in the exemplaryarrangement device 92 includes a wireless communication interfacesuitable for providing tracking of the device via a global positioningsystem (GPS). The GPS capability enables tracking the device as well asthe item carrier user and deposit items associated therewith in a mannerthat is later discussed. Alternatively, cellular tracking systems orother tracking systems may be used. The exemplary device furtherincludes control circuitry 112. The control circuitry 112 includes atleast one processor and at least one data store of the types previouslydescribed. The control circuitry 112 enables operation of the device 92in the manner later discussed. Devices 94, 96, 98 and 100 may be similarto device 92.

The exemplary network 50 may also be in operative connection withportable wireless devices which are operated by entities that are ownersof respective depositories or other entities having responsibility fordepositories, which are also referred to as owners herein. Such ownersare registered system users in the exemplary arrangement. These portablewireless devices schematically represented 114, 116 may be similar inexemplary embodiments to wireless device 64 previously discussed.However such devices may further include circuit executable instructionsthat additionally provide capabilities for the owner of the depositoryto receive payments from the operator of the system for the use of theirdepositories in connection with the storage and transport of deposititems. In exemplary arrangements such payments are made for the receipt,storage or delivery of deposit items that are placed into the depositoryby third parties for purposes of having the deposit items transported toan entity other than the entity associated with the particulardepository into which the item is deposited or received into therepository for purposes of pickup by another delivery item recipient.

It should be understood that the network configuration 50 and thedevices in operative connection therewith are exemplary. Numerous othertypes of devices, network configurations and arrangements may beutilized in connection with exemplary embodiments. Further while theexemplary devices operated by users of the system have been generallydescribed as portable wireless devices, it should be understood thatother types of stationary or portable computer devices may be operatedin connection with the system to carry out the functions describedherein.

In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry 60 is operativeto include in at least one or more associated data stores 62, datarecords related to devices that are utilized in connection with theexemplary system. For example in exemplary arrangements the data storesinclude identifying data regarding each depository and its respectivelocation. Data stores may include data regarding registered system usersof the types previously discussed. The stored data regardingdepositories in exemplary embodiments also includes data regarding theentity that is the owner of the depository, and restrictions that theentity who is the owner of the depository may have placed on the usethereof. For example in some arrangements the owner of the depositorymay restrict use solely to receiving therein or having removed therefromdeposit items that are received or sent by the owner of the depository.Other depository owners may establish rules which allow other entitiesto provide deposit items into the depository for transport elsewhere, orto receive items in the depository that can be taken from the depositoryby the authorized recipient entities.

Other exemplary rules that may be established in connection withdepositories may include only having the depository available to beaccessed by certain transport users, such as users who have achieved acertain security level or performance rating. This may include forexample transport users for deposit items who have achieved above acertain rating based on background checks and/or measured metrics forperformance, reliability and dependability. Other rules associated withdepositories may include restrictions on days of the week and/or timesduring particular days when entities other than the depository owner, ispermitted to access the depository. Numerous different restrictions maybe set for depositories by depository owners or the central systemcircuitry operator for purposes of operating the depository inconnection with the system.

In addition stored data regarding depositories may include informationrelated to security features or other features associated with thedepository. For example in order to provide secure communication betweenthe central circuitry and each depository, the depository and thecentral circuitry may have respective public and private key pairs anddigital certificates that enable secure communication between thecentral circuitry and the control circuitry of the respectivedepository. This enables the control circuitry of the depository and thecentral circuitry to identify the system originating messages and to beassured of the origin of received messages. In addition the centralcircuitry and the control circuitry of each depository may includerespective programming that enables the sending of instructions or othermessages which enable the operation or performance of certain functions.For example the control circuitry of the respective depository mayinclude programming from the central system that is operative to causethe locking or unlocking of the respective lock of the depository inresponse to the receipt of certain messages and/or data by thedepository from the central system. Further in exemplary arrangementsthe central system may be operative to cause the control circuitry of arespective depository to operate the plurality of reading devicestherein for purposes of determining the amount of space that iscurrently available in the interior area of the depository. Suchfunctionality may enable the central circuitry to determine the abilityof the particular depository to accept therein a deposit item having aparticular size that may be available for deposit into the depository.

Further in exemplary embodiments the central circuitry may operate inaccordance with its programming to maintain data corresponding to theindicia associated with deposit items that are currently positioned inthe interior area of each depository. Further, in exemplary arrangementsthe central system may communicate with a respective depository so as tocause the control circuitry thereof to deliver to the central circuitry,data corresponding to activities that have been conducted at thedepository. This may include not only the indicia usable to identifydeposit items currently therein, but also historical record data relatedto deposit items placed into the depository and/or deposit items removedtherefrom, and data associated with the users and times associated witheach respective activity that has occurred. In exemplary arrangementseach depository may also operate to have its control circuitry storeimages associated with activities that occur at the depository. This mayinclude images of each user who places a deposit item into or removes adeposit item from the interior area of the depository. Such image datamay also include item identifying indicia included on each item that isplaced in or removed from the depository by the authorized user as wellas other data associated with each event or activity that has occurred.Instructions communicated from the central circuitry may be operative tocause the control circuitry of a respective depository to send imagedata corresponding to the captured images associated with the activitiesthat have occurred at the depository. This may further enabledocumenting the deposit or removal of deposit items as well asfacilitate resolving any discrepancies which may occur. Of course thesefunctions and capabilities, and stored record data of the centralcircuitry and each depository is exemplary, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

Further in exemplary embodiments the central system circuitry 60 isoperative to include in the at least one data store 62 informationregarding the devices and authorized and/or registered users who utilizethe depositories included in the system. For example in an exemplaryembodiment the central circuitry is operative to include the informationshown in FIG. 9 for the devices such as devices 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100that are operated by the authorized users who access the depositoriesand transport deposit items. In the exemplary arrangements each of theauthorized and/or registered users has included in the data storeassociated with their portable wireless device, identifying data that isusable in conjunction with the depositories to indicate that the user ofthe device is an authorized and/or registered user. Such data mayinclude for example, ID token information which can be utilized toidentify the user as an authorized and/or registered user. Such tokeninformation may include digital information that can be correlatedthrough operation of the central circuitry with the identity of theparticular individual that is associated with operation of theparticular device. In addition such token information may include othertypes of data which can be used for identification purposes. Such othertypes of data may include for example, user biometric data such asfingerprint data, iris scan data or other data that comprises recorddata that is uniquely associated with the user.

Further in other exemplary arrangements stored data regarding users mayinclude other record data which may be utilized in connection withoperation of the system. For example in systems that utilize card datafor purposes of accessing depositories, the record data maintained bythe central circuitry may include the data corresponding to therespective user's card data and other associated data for the respectiveuser. This enables the system to compare the data received through theat least one input device of a depository, to stored data so as toidentify the person seeking access to the depository as an authorizeduser who is appropriately authorized to have access thereto. Of coursethe approaches described in connection with the authorized users areexemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Further as described in connection with FIG. 9, the record dataassociated with devices operated by users who transport items mayinclude information regarding payments to such users. In the exemplarysystem the users who transport items between the depositories are paidfor the transport services. The payment for services may be based oncertain information regarding the particular depository item that istransported such as, the size of the item, the weight of the item, thedistance and timing associated with such transport and other factors.The exemplary data that is stored by the central circuitry furtherincludes data regarding payments that are made to the individuals whoperform the transport services. Such payment data may also include datasuch as account data associated with a funds source of the user whichenables the making of the payments to the user for the servicesprovided. Alternatively such funds source data may be associated with anaccount that can be credited for amounts payable or refundable. This mayinclude for example, information regarding a PayPal account, a Venmoaccount, a bank account, an electronic stored value account or otheraccounts into which appropriate payments to such users may be made.

Further in the exemplary arrangement the central circuitry is operativeto include data regarding the activities that are performed by eachrespective user who is an item carrier that transports deposit items inconnection with the system. Such data may include contact data for themobile wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier such as acommunication address of the carrier contact device. Such data mayinclude metrics which include information on the timeliness andreliability of the particular individual. For example as laterdiscussed, in some arrangements transport activities associated withparticular deposit items are assigned by the system to the particularauthorized user, and the activity may be reserved to the user for aparticular time. In cases where the particular user that is initiallyassigned to the activity does not perform the activity within theallotted time, the system is operative to reassign the activity toanother item carrier user. Such events where an activity is notperformed by a user is considered significant to the user's performance.Likewise in situations where an authorized user has taken longer thanwould normally be expected to accomplish the transport of the deposititem to a depository destination, such factors would also be significantin terms of the user's associated metrics. Losses of items and cases ofmisdirected deposit items are also significant metrics. These and othermetrics are recorded through operation of the central system circuitrywith regard to each authorized item carrier transport user.

Further the exemplary central system circuitry is operative to applyratings to each authorized user based on the metrics that are associatedwith the user's performance. Such user ratings may be utilized inconnection with screening authorized users for purposes of accessingcertain depositories and/or handling certain types or values of deposititems. Such ratings may also be utilized in connection with determiningthe rate that is paid to the user for the transport activities that areperformed. Of course these categories that are represented in FIG. 9 areexemplary and in other embodiments other or additional informationregarding such users may be stored and evaluated through operation ofthe central circuitry.

FIG. 10 shows schematically exemplary records and data items that may beassociated with shipper and recipient users and their associated devicesthat place items into depositories for purposes of requesting deliveriesto other depositories and/or that receive items from depositories. Inthe exemplary network arrangement this data would be associated withdevices 64, 66 and 68 of registered users. As is the case in connectionwith individuals and devices that provide transport services, the dataassociated with these devices include ID tokens or other identifyingrecord information that can be utilized to reliably identify that theuser or device is one that is authorized to access the depository. Asthe individuals that provide the functions of providing deposit items tobe transported to the depositories will generally be required to pay forthe transport services, the central circuitry includes data for suchusers that may include a fund source such as account data for assessingcharges associated with payments for shipments. This may include creditcard accounts, bank accounts, PayPal accounts or other suitable accountsfrom which payments may be made.

Further in some exemplary system arrangements individuals in thiscategory may choose to travel an extended distance to a depository inorder to receive a deposit item that would otherwise be handled by anitem carrier user that is paid to transport the item to a destinationdepository substantially closer to the recipient or to a designateddelivery address that is not a depository. In such an exemplary systemif the recipient chooses to conduct a substantial portion of thetransport by taking the item from a depository that is remotely locatedfrom the destination that the person arranging for shipment has paid tohave the item delivered to, then the central circuitry is operative tocompensate the recipient for the transport activity associated withpicking up the item from the remote destination. As such the exemplarycentral circuitry includes data regarding account information which canbe credited for pick up amounts to which the authorized user receivingan item may be entitled. This account information may include accountinformation for accounts which can be credited with value to therecipient for transport and pickup of deposit items. Of course it shouldbe understood that the data types shown for this category of authorizeduser and their associated devices in FIG. 10 is merely exemplary of someitems of information which may be included in records of the centralcircuitry.

FIG. 11 schematically shows exemplary record data that is associatedwith owners of depositories and their associated devices. The data shownin FIG. 11 would generally be associated with the devices 114, 116 thatwere previously discussed in connection with the exemplary network 50.Similar to other devices, the devices associated with depository ownerswould include the identifying information which identifies the user asan authorized or registered shipper or recipient user. In addition inthe exemplary arrangement the records associated with the depositoryowner includes data regarding the restrictions on the depositories suchas those previously discussed. The exemplary central circuitry isoperative to associate the depository owner with the respectivedepository that is owned by the depository owner and to cause therestrictions set by the owner for the depository to be applicable to therecords associated with the depository in the one or more data stores ofthe central circuitry.

Further in some exemplary arrangements the depository owners areentities that engage in sending deposit items for transport andreceiving deposit items. As such the data associated with the depositoryowners includes a funds source such as account information correspondingto accounts which can be assessed for charges associated with transportof deposit items to remote depository destinations. Further in exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry is operative to compensate depositoryowners for deposit items that are placed in the depository of thedepository owner by other authorized user individuals for purposes oftransport to other depositories. In the exemplary arrangement thedepository owner is compensated for the use of their depository by suchthird parties. The exemplary system is operative to include in the dataassociated with the depository owners, account information concerningaccounts that are credited through operation the central circuitry forthe use of the depository by other authorized entities.

In some exemplary system arrangements deposit items which arealternatively referred to herein as delivery items or parcels, arepicked up from an initial pickup address associated with the shipperand/or delivered to a final delivery address of the parcel recipient byitem carriers. In such systems the exemplary one or more data storesassociated with the central system circuitry may include additional ordifferent types of data records. Such data records may include forexample, data corresponding to the initial pickup address at which aparticular parcel is to be picked up from the shipper. Datacorresponding to the final delivery address at which the parcel is to bedelivered to the recipient may also be stored. In exemplary arrangementssuch data may be stored in associated relation with the item identifyingdata, which is alternatively referred to herein as the parcel identifier(ID), or other data that uniquely identifies the particular parcel.Further in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data storeassociated with the central system circuitry includes data correspondingto each parcel and the delivery assignments given to item carriers todeliver the respective parcel to a particular repository or to a finaldelivery address. The exemplary data store further includes datacorresponding to pickup assignments that have been given to itemcarriers with respect to each parcel, including initial pickupassignments in which an item carrier has been directed to pick up aparcel from an initial pickup address associated with the entity that isoriginating the shipment of the item. Further as previously discussed,the exemplary at least one data store associated with the central systemcircuitry includes data corresponding to the current action statusassociated with each particular parcel. The data corresponding to theaction status may include for example, data indicative that theparticular parcel is currently housed in a particular repository. Suchaction status data may further include an indication that a particularparcel is in the possession of a particular item carrier and iscurrently being transported by the item carrier to a particularrepository. Of course these records that are mentioned herein as storedin the at least one data store are merely exemplary and in otherarrangements different or additional data may be stored.

Further in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store inoperative connection with the central system circuitry may include datacorresponding to a plurality of catchment areas. In the exemplaryarrangement each catchment area corresponds to a geographical area inwhich parcels may be picked up from shippers and delivered to finaldelivery addresses of parcel recipients. In the exemplary arrangementthe data regarding each respective catchment area includes data thatenables the central system circuitry to determine the particularcatchment area in which an initial pickup address and a final deliveryaddress that may be associated with a respective parcel are located.Further in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data storeincludes data corresponding to each repository in which parcels may bestored. In exemplary arrangements the at least one data store includesidentifying data which uniquely identifies each repository. In someexemplary arrangements the repository identifying data is associatedwith the data corresponding to a respective catchment area. Thus theassociation of the stored data enables the central system circuitry todetermine that a particular initial pickup address and/or a finaldelivery address is located in a particular catchment area that isassociated with a particular repository. As a result in some exemplaryarrangements, the system may operate to have items that are to bedelivered to a final delivery address in a particular catchment area, betransported to the associated repository associated with that area. Theparcels are then taken from that repository by an item carrier fordelivery to the final delivery addresses. Likewise in exemplaryarrangements the system enables initial pickup addresses associated withparcels to be identified as associated with a particular catchment area.The system can then operate to cause the parcels that are within thecatchment area to be initially transported to the repository associatedwith the particular catchment area. Each parcel is then transported fromthe repository associated with the catchment area in which the initialpickup address is located, to other repositories and then to a finaldelivery address.

Further in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store mayinclude records corresponding to each parcel that are indicative of oneor more time values associated with the pickup and/or delivery of theparticular parcel. For example in some arrangements particular parcelsmay have associated requirements for pick up or delivery within a fixedfuture time. Alternatively or in addition, particular parcels may haveassociated therewith particular time windows during which the entitythat originates the shipment is open or otherwise available to providethe parcel to an item carrier. Similarly, parcels may be subject to timeperiods associated with the delivery thereof to the final deliveryaddress. Such time periods may include data corresponding to the timesat which the recipient facility at the final delivery address is openand or otherwise available to receive the delivery of the particularparcel. Alternatively or in addition, time data may be associated withtransport requirements such as an obligation to make a delivery within acertain time window based on when the shipment is originated or based onother parameters. For example certain parcels may be subject toexpedited handling and a requirement that they be delivered at a finaldelivery address by no later than 24 hours after initial item pickup.Alternatively or in addition there may be service-level requirementsthat require that the parcel be delivered at the final delivery addressbefore 3 PM on the first business day after shipment. Data correspondingto numerous different time periods for particular requirements may bestored in associated relation with the parcel identifiers or otherrecord data which identifies the particular parcel.

Further in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data storeassociated with the central system circuitry may include datacorresponding to transport costs. Transport costs data may include thecosts associated with transporting parcels within the differentcatchment areas and/or under different conditions or circumstances. Thismay include information regarding rates that are paid to item carriersfor the transport of different types of parcels. Such fee data may bebased on distance, parcel type, delivery or pickup area, time of day,required response time parameters, parcel routing, transport beginningand/or end locations, or combinations thereof. Further in some exemplaryarrangements the at least one data store associated with the centralsystem circuitry may include data regarding prior deliveries made withincatchment areas or subregions within catchment areas. Such data mayinclude information regarding the time required for past parcelshipments to be picked up and/or delivered within particular geographicregions. Such data may include data that can be used to calculateestimated times for delivery from a repository associated with aparticular catchment area to a particular region or area within thecatchment area. Such data may also include data that can be used tocalculate estimated times for pickup of the parcel in a particularcatchment area or particular region or area within a particularcatchment area.

Of course the types of record data shown as maintained by the centralcircuitry for the different types of devices and users associated withthe system, are exemplary. Additional types of information willgenerally be stored in association with the various types of devices andusers to facilitate operation of the system and to providerecord-keeping and tracking for the activities that are carried out inconnection therewith. Further as can be appreciated, in somearrangements the central circuitry is operative to store data associatedwith the whereabouts of deposit items that are moving through the systemat all times, and to track the status of depositories, and individualswho provide transport for the items, such that the whereabouts of eachdeposit item throughout the term of its inclusion in the system can bedetermined at all times. In some exemplary arrangements the centralcircuitry is operative to estimate arrival times for depository items atdestination depositories and makes such data available to usersresponsible for sending the items and recipients. Further historicalinformation on each deposit item is also maintained for a programmedtime. To assure that any errors or loss situations can be tracked,investigated and remedied, tracking and image data can be accessedthrough the central system circuitry and in some arrangements may beobtained from each of the respective depositories.

A schematic representation of one exemplary logic flow that is carriedout through operation of the central system circuitry, the depositoriesand the portable wireless devices of entities that provide, transportand receive deposit items, is shown in FIGS. 12 through 27. Thisexemplary logic flow of each of the devices involved is exemplary and isdescribed in connection with an example that is intended to berepresentative of the operation of the various devices. Deposit itemsare alternatively referred to herein as delivery items or parcels. Ofcourse numerous other features and operations may be utilized inconnection with exemplary embodiments.

The example of the logic flow commences with an authorized user of thesystem who wishes to have a deposit item transported to a remotedestination operating their respective portable wireless device such aswireless device 64. In the exemplary logic flow the entity wishing tohave the deposit item transported may be referred to as a shipper forpurposes of simplicity in connection with this particular example.

As represented in a step 118 the individual wishing to have a deposititem transported operates their associated device such as device 64 toprovide inputs which indicate that they wish to have an itemtransported. In a next step 120 the user operates the device to provideinputs which are usable to identify the user as an authorized and/orregistered user of the system. In a next step 122 the user is operativeto provide inputs to their device which indicate the payment method thatwill be utilized to make payment for the transport of the deposit item.In exemplary arrangements this may include selection from a menu toindicate the type of payment or account that the user wishes to utilizein connection with the deposit item. The user may also be required toprovide information or respond to certain questions regarding the item.These questions may include providing information regarding whether theitem is flammable or otherwise hazardous. The individual may also berequired to indicate whether the item contains perishable or fragilematerial. The user may also be required to provide information regardingthe dimensions of the item, the weight of the item and/or the value ofthe item. Of course these queries are merely exemplary.

In a step 124 the user operates the device to indicate a delivery itemoriginating address which corresponds to the origin for the transport ofthe deposit item. This may include the user's business address or otheraddress. In some arrangements the originating address may include abusiness address associated with the particular depository into whichthe deposit item will eventually be placed for purposes of initiatingthe transport activity. In a step 126 the user inputs to the device theaddress information for the delivery item destination location whichcorresponds to a point or area of delivery of the particular deposititem. This may include an address associated with a remote depositorythat is associated with the entity that will receive the deposit item.Alternatively in other arrangements the delivery address may include anaddress or area associated with an entity that does not have a dedicateddepository. In such cases the delivery address may include informationregarding an authorized user of the system that is enabled to access adepository that is located in proximity to them for purposes ofreceiving the deposit item to be transported. In other arrangements thedelivery location may be a commercial or residential address which isthe address of the recipient of the particular parcel.

In the exemplary arrangement the user wishing to arrange for transportof an item may wish to pay an incentive fee in order to have the itemdelivered more promptly or in accordance with other requirements. In theexemplary arrangement the programming associated with the user deviceenables the user arranging for transport to apply an incentive forparticular delivery parameters or timing that is associated with theparticular deposit item. This is represented in a step 128. This may bea payment for delivery within a set time such as within one day, forexample. Of course if the user does not wish to apply an incentive, theprogramming associated with the device will cause the standard ratesand/or parameters set through operation of the central circuitry toapply.

The exemplary programming associated with the user's device may includethe capability to capture images of the deposit item such that the sizeof the deposit item can be assessed. In some exemplary arrangements theuser device may require the user to input dimensions of the deposit itemand/or the weight thereof via a touch screen or other input device. Thisis represented in a step 130. Assessing the size of the deposit item isuseful for purposes of enabling the central system circuitry todetermine depositories where sufficient space is available in theinterior area for purposes of receiving the deposit item therein at thepresent time. This may be done in the manner previously discussed usingthe reading devices that are included in the respective depositories.The size as well as weight can also be factors in determining thecharges for transport of the deposit item.

In some exemplary arrangements the user may have circuit executableinstructions on their mobile device or other computer that guides and/orprompts a user to provide the necessary information for shipment. Inother arrangements the central circuitry may provide an online portalwhich the user may access to receive the prompts to input necessaryinformation, and to which the information may be supplied.

In the exemplary arrangement, once the information has been input by theuser to the device, the information regarding the request to transportthe deposit item is submitted to the central system circuitry as atleast one transport request message represented in a step 132. Thecentral circuitry is then operative to verify the identifyinginformation associated with the user that has submitted the request.This is represented in a step 134. This may include comparing useridentifying data stored in the user device such as an ID token that isincluded in the at least one transport request message, with stored dataassociated with authorized users by the central circuitry. The centralcircuitry is also operative to verify that the user who has submittedthe request has indicated a suitable funds source which provides apayment method associated with the central system in order to makepayment for the transport of the deposit item. The central systemcircuitry may also analyze the delivery item size data and/or weightdata included in the at least one transport request message to determineif the delivery item is suitable for transport through the system. Thisis represented in a step 136.

The exemplary central circuitry then operates to assign a parcel ID tothe particular deposit item as represented in step 138. The parcel ID isalternatively referred to herein as a delivery item identifier. The dataprovided by the user regarding the originating location and destinationlocation for the transport of the deposit item is also stored in atleast one data store associated with the central circuitry asrepresented in step 140. In some arrangements the central circuitry isthen operative responsive to the originating location information toresolve an originating depository that is considered the most suitablefor receipt of the deposit item. This is represented in a step 142.Generally the originating depository will be the depository located inclosest geographical proximity to the user wishing to have the deposititem transported. However, in order to assure that space for the deposititem is available in the nearest depository, the central circuitryoperates as represented at a step 144 to determine if the delivery itemis of a suitable size and/or weight to be transported and determinebased on stored record data or through communication with the circuitryof the initially selected depository to verify that sufficient space isavailable to accept a deposit item of the size that was determined atstep 130. If such space is not available, the central circuitry operatesto determine an alternative available originating depository that hasthe space available to receive the deposit item therein. The centralsystem circuitry is operative to evaluate at least one of the sizeand/or the weight of the deposit item to determine if it is within atleast one size or weight limit. If the deposit item is not suitable fortransit due to size, weight or space factors the request is flagged tobe declined or be processed in a manner that provides special handling.

As represented in a step 146, once the originating depository forreceiving the deposit item is resolved, the central circuitry operatesto generate a one-time code to be input by the authorized user forpurposes of accessing the depository. The one-time code is alternativelyreferred to herein as an item depositor access code. The centralcircuitry is operative to correlate stored data corresponding to atleast two of the authorized user identifying data, the delivery itemidentifier and the depository which receives the item from the userand/or a respective interior area thereof, in the at least one datastore. In a step 148 the central circuitry is then operative to send theoriginating depository location information and the code data to theuser's device. In exemplary arrangements the depository identifying datafor the originating depository may include GPS coordinates, address dataor other information that can be used to locate the depository.

As represented at step 150 the user's device is operative to receive thedata from the central circuitry. In situations where the transaction isnot accepted due to an invalid funds source or a parcel size or weightoutside a set limit, the user is notified the transaction is denied, oralternatively the user is provided with instructions to obtain specialhandling. If the transaction may proceed the user may then operate theirdevice in the manner represented in FIG. 6 to produce a data bearingrecord which includes data representative of the origin and destinationaddress as well as indicia corresponding to the delivery item identifierwhich uniquely identifies the deposit item. The delivery item identifieris alternatively referred to herein as a parcel identifier. This isrepresented by a step 152. In the exemplary arrangements the deliveryitem identifier may be encoded in identifying indicia that may include amachine readable bar code, a QR code or other suitable machine readableindicia which comprises record data which can be read for purposes ofidentifying the deposit item. As represented in a step 154 in theexemplary arrangement the user may operate their device in associationwith a label printer to produce a label which is then applied to thedeposit item. In the exemplary arrangement the label that is applied tothe deposit item is externally visible such that the machine readableindicia thereon that corresponds to the delivery item identifier can beread through operation of the reading devices such as a reader includedin the depository or a user's portable wireless device. The label mayalso include human readable indicia so that the particular deposit itemcan be visually identified by item carrier users or other users whoaccess the depository. Of course it should be understood that in otherexemplary arrangements other types of indicia may be utilized forpurposes of providing identifying indicia. Such indicia may include forexample, programmable RFID tags, QR codes, a signature or other manuallymade indicia, an image of the deposit item, or other indicia that may beplaced in operative connection with a deposit item for purposes ofenabling the identification of the item through operation of the system.

As represented in a step 156 the user seeking to have the deposit itemtransported may utilize their device to guide their travel to the GPSlocation or other location as identified to the device, so that the usermay place the item into the originating depository. In the exemplaryarrangement the user operates their device to cause data correspondingto a data bearing record which identifies the user, to the at least oneinput device on the depository. This is represented by a step 158. Inthe exemplary arrangement the user device is operative to send useridentifying data such as the user token data to the RF input deviceincluded in the depository. The depository receives the user identifyingdata as represented in step 160. The control circuitry of the exemplarydepository is operative to enable the keypad of the exemplary embodimentto receive a manually input code therethrough from the user asrepresented at step 162. The input code may correspond to the one-timedepositor access code. Alternatively, in some arrangements the one timeaccess code may be delivered wirelessly from the user's device to the RFinput device. Further in some arrangements user identifying data and theone time code may be replaced by a single code string or object. Asrepresented at step 164 the control circuitry of the depository isoperative to wirelessly transmit at least one message including datacorresponding to the received user identifying data and the one-timecode as well as depository identifying data to the central circuitry.This may be done in a suitably encrypted manner or using other suitablesecurity techniques to assure that the data is not compromised.

The central system circuitry is operative to receive the data from thedepository as represented at a step 166. The central circuitry thenoperates as represented at step 168 to verify that the received useridentifying information corresponds to the authorized user, and that theone-time code corresponds to the code provided to the user in connectionwith the request to transport the deposit item. In the exemplaryarrangement the central circuitry is operative to assign to the user anitem depositor access code that can be utilized only on one occasion forpurposes of opening the central system assigned interior area of thedepository. This prevents the authorized user from opening otherdepositories or in some arrangements other interior areas orcompartments of the same depository, or opening the depository onmultiple occasions using the provided code. Of course it should beunderstood that this approach is exemplary and in other arrangementsother approaches may be used.

Responsive to the central circuitry making a determination based onstored data that the data received by the depository from the user isthe appropriate data for the user accessing the depository in connectionwith receiving the deposit item, the central circuitry is operative tosend one or more messages to the depository as represented in step 170.The messages include instructions and/or data which are operative tocause the repository control circuitry of the depository to unlock thelock which holds the designated depository door in the closed position.At a step 172 the control circuitry of the depository operates to verifythat the received message data corresponds to an authorized message fromthe central circuitry to unlock the lock. This may be done by ananalysis of the received message data including decryption of theinstructions and other data included in the message which verifies theinstructions as appropriately authorized by the central circuitry.

If the control circuitry of the depository determines that the messagedata from the central circuitry is genuine, the circuitry operates tocause the lock associated with the appropriate door and compartment tobe changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. This isrepresented at a step 174. The exemplary control circuitry then operatesto detect the opening of the depository door. In some arrangements thecontrol circuitry causes the plurality of reading devices to operate tocapture images including the indicia corresponding to the delivery itemidentifier included on the depository item as represented at step 176.In some arrangements the control circuitry also operates to captureimages showing the user as well as the deposit item as it is beingplaced into the interior area of the depository. These images are storedin the data store associated with the control circuitry of thedepository along with time data to indicate when the activity occurred.In other exemplary arrangements the user may be instructed to operatetheir portable wireless device to have a camera thereon capture an imageof the item identifying indicia on the deposit item, identifying indiciaon the depository, or both. This is represented by a step 178.

Further in exemplary arrangements data from the at least one weightsensor may be captured to verify placement of the item in the depositoryand/or to detect the weight of the item. The additional weight added tothe depository may be used to verify that the weight indicated for theitem by the shipper is accurate. If the item is substantially heavierthan specified in the at least one transport request message, the personrequesting the shipment may be assessed an additional charge. Sensorssuch as image capture devices such as cameras or LIDAR sensors may beused to capture data that is used to determine the size of the item.This may be done so that the central system circuitry can verify thatthe parcel size is consistent with the parcel size data included in theat least one transport request message. Image sensors, sonic sensors orother sensors may operate to capture other properties such as color,sound absorption, reflectivity of light or sound waves, or other typesof signals as well as combinations thereof. Further the weight, sizeand/or other property (or a combination of properties) associated withthe item may be used by the central system circuitry as an additionalidentifying feature and tracking identifier for the item. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary.

In the exemplary arrangement the control circuitry associated with thedepository is operative to send at least one message including datacorresponding to the indicia read, detected and/or sensed from thedeposit item to the central circuitry as represented at step 180. Thecentral circuitry receives the data as represented at step 182 andverifies that the received data and read indicia corresponds to theidentifying information associated with the deposit item and theauthorized user who is authorized to place the deposit item in thedepository. This is represented by step 184. The central circuitry isthen operative to send one or more messages to the depository indicatingthat the deposit item is acceptable into the depository. This isrepresented by a step 186. It should be understood however that if thecentral circuitry determines that received data or the indiciaassociated with the deposit item is incorrect and/or does not correspondwith the authorized user who has accessed the depository, the centralcircuitry will send at least one message including data which isindicative of this discrepancy to the depository.

In the exemplary logic flow as represented at step 188 the wirelesscommunication portal of the depository receives the data indicative ofwhether the deposit item and its receipt into the depository isacceptable. The control circuitry of the exemplary depository thenoperates to provide an indication if the acceptance of the deposit itemis authorized. This is represented by a step 190. In the exemplaryarrangement, the control circuitry of the depository is operative tocause operation of the at least one indicator 32 to provide anindication as to whether the acceptance of the deposit item isauthorized. For example in an exemplary arrangement the indicator may beoperated to provide a green color light output when the deposit item isacceptable and a red color light output when the deposit item is notacceptable. In addition an audio annunciator output or other indicatoroutput may be output by the depository to indicate the acceptability orunacceptability of the deposit. In other exemplary arrangements anindication of the acceptability of the deposit item may be sent to theuser's mobile device so as to cause at least one output from an outputdevice thereof. In other exemplary arrangements the door of thedepository may be spring loaded so that the door at least partiallyopens responsive to the deposit item being acceptable. Of course theseoutputs are exemplary and in other arrangements other types of outputsmay be provided.

Further in some exemplary arrangements at least one message indicativeof a determination as to the acceptability or unacceptability of thedeposit item or the associated circumstances may be sent by the centralsystem circuitry to the portable device of the authorized user. Suchinformation may be sent in the form of a text message or other suitableoutput to indicate to the user the acceptability or unacceptability ofthe deposit item or activity. Such approaches may be useful in someexemplary systems for purposes of preventing users from making mistakesin placing incorrect deposit items into depositories. Such features maybe particularly helpful in situations where an authorized user may behandling multiple deposit items, some of which may be intended forplacement in a particular depository while others are not. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In some exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with thedepository is operative in a step 192 to evaluate the image datacaptured by the reading devices and/or the weight sensors to make anaction status determination. The action status determination includesevaluating the image data and/or weight data for purposes of determiningwhether the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interiorarea of the depository. In alternative arrangements the user may beprompted to provide at least one input to their mobile wireless deviceto indicate the deposit item has been placed in the interior area. Thewireless device sends at least one message indicative of the input. Inthis exemplary logic flow the determination of action status by thecontrol circuitry is indicative that the deposit item has been placed inthe depository. After the action status determination that the deposititem has been received, the control circuitry of the depository sensesfor the door of the depository being closed. This is done throughappropriate switches, detectors or the reading devices in operativeconnection with the control circuitry and is represented in a step 194.In some exemplary arrangements the repository control circuitry willcause at least one output device of the depository to provide outputswhich instruct the user to close the depository door in the event thatsuch action is not taken within a calculated time of the deposit itembeing received. In other exemplary arrangements the user's portablewireless device may receive messages from the central circuitry that arecaused to be sent responsive to messages from the depository in theevent that the user is detected as not taking appropriate steps towardsclosure of the door after the deposit item has been deposited in theinterior area.

Once the depository door is in the closed position, the controlcircuitry operates to cause the lock to be changed to the lockedcondition as represented in a step 196. The control circuitry of thedepository then operates to send one or more item received messages tothe central circuitry indicating that the interior area of thedepository has been made accessible responsive at least in part to theitem depositor access code, token data and/or other input data and thedeposit item has been received in the depository as indicated at step198. Responsive to receiving the at least one item received message fromthe depository and/or from the user's mobile wireless device, thecentral circuitry is operative to update the record data stored in itsassociated data store to reflect the status of the deposit item as beingwithin the particular depository as represented at step 200. The centralcircuitry may also operate to determine the remaining available volumeof space in the compartment or interior area in which the deposit itemhas been placed.

The exemplary central circuitry then operates to take the actionsnecessary to arrange for the deposit item to be transported from theoriginating depository into which it has been received, to a depositoryassociated with the destination location for the item. In somecircumstances the central circuitry is enabled to arrange for a singleauthorized user of the system to transport the deposit item from theoriginating depository into which it is received to another depositorywhich is a destination depository that corresponds to the delivery itemdestination, such as a final destination address for the deposit item.In other arrangements the system is operative to arrange for delivery toa recipient address rather than a depository. However, in manysituations the central circuitry must arrange for the transport of thedeposit item to an intermediate location which corresponds to adestination depository which is only part way to the delivery itemdestination. This occurs because the individuals available to transportthe deposit item are available only to transport the item to theintermediate destination. The central circuitry will then later arrangefor a different authorized user to transport the item from theintermediate destination to the depository at the final destinationdepository for the deposit item. Of course it should be understood whilethis example indicates that the deposit item is transported through adestination depository at one intermediate destination, other exemplarydeposit item transport situations will involve transport throughmultiple intermediate destinations. This is particularly true when thetransport of the deposit item is over a long distance. In some exemplaryarrangements the incentive payments which the system user arranging forthe transport can make, will help to reduce the number of intermediatedepository destinations and result in delivery of the deposit item tothe final destination more quickly.

As represented at step 202 an authorized system user that is willing totransport deposit items may operate their portable wireless device, suchas carrier contact device 92, to indicate their availability totransport deposit items by initiating operation of an application on thedevice. Such system users are alternatively referred to herein as itemcarriers or item handlers. In the exemplary arrangement the deviceapplication requires that the user sign onto the carrier contact deviceand provide appropriate carrier contact device data such as a telephonenumber or email address and user identifying information whichidentifies the particular user to the central circuitry, as representedat step 204. In exemplary arrangements the item carrier contact devicedata and other user identifying information as well as credentials suchas token data for the item carrier that may be stored in the user deviceand in the central circuitry, will have been previously establishedthrough a registration process applicable to authorized users. In theexemplary arrangement the circuit executable instructions associatedwith the user's device 92 also require that the user provide locationinformation such as through GPS data associated with the current carriercontact device location to the central system circuitry through at leastone driver data message. This is represented at step 206.

In the exemplary system a user may choose to transport deposit itemsbased on planned travel for other purposes. This may include forexample, the user having a daily commute to a job that is substantiallyremote from where they reside. Alternatively a user may have plannedtravel for personal or other purposes to a destination, and is willingto transport deposit items in the course of their personal travel.Alternatively a user may be willing to perform transport services ofdeposit items to any local location to receive compensation for thetransport services. As represented in step 208 the user inputs to thecarrier contact device their available delivery location such as, forexample destination information related to their current travel plans,or if the user is willing to travel to any location within a setdistance range for purposes of making deliveries of deposit items. Insome arrangements the user may also indicate that they have specializedcapabilities such as handling fragile or perishable items, handlingrefrigerated items, handling large and/or heavy items, providingtransport for items in secure compartments and/or that they are bondedor insured for handling high value or legally controlled items. Asrepresented at step 210 the control circuitry associated with the user'sportable wireless carrier contact device is operative to send the dataregarding the available item carrier transport user in at least onedriver data message to the central circuitry for purposes of determiningif the item carrier user will receive transport job assignments whichwill result in compensation being paid to the user.

As represented at step 212 in an exemplary arrangement the centralcircuitry receives the data from the item carrier contact device andconducts an analysis of the received data as represented at step 214.The central circuitry is also operative to recover the stored dataregarding the rating information associated with the user as representedin step 216. The central circuitry is then operative to compare the dataassociated with the available transport user received in driver datamessages to the data associated with available transport jobs that needto be conducted. This is represented at step 218. Of course as can beappreciated, this activity is carried out by the central circuitry foreach authorized item carrier transport user that indicates availabilityto participate in providing transport services for deposit items at thecurrent time. The central circuitry is enabled to match availableauthorized item carriers with transport jobs in a manner that causes thedeposit items to be moved to either a respective final delivery address,a final delivery depository destination of the deposit item, or anintermediate delivery depository location at a depository that causesthe deposit item to move closer to its final delivery destination.

As represented in step 220 the central circuitry operates to match theauthorized transport item carrier current location and the associateditem carrier available delivery location data to the originatingdepository, the destination depository and the deposit item deliveryrequirements. The central circuitry is then operative to determine thedestination depository which is the endpoint destination for theavailable item carrier as represented in step 222. In other arrangementsthe end point for the delivery may be the address of the recipient. Inthis particular example the endpoint destination for the initial itemcarrier is an intermediate destination depository that is not the finaldestination for the particular deposit item. The central circuitry isthen operative to calculate the rate information for the transport useras represented in step 224. In an exemplary arrangement this calculationreflects an amount that the item carrier will receive for taking thedeposit item from the current depository in which it is located,transporting it to the designated intermediate destination depository,and placing the deposit item in the intermediate destination depositoryfor subsequent transport towards its final destination. In someexemplary arrangements the central circuitry may operate to determinemultiple parcels that can be transported together by the item carrier asa bundle to a destination.

As represented in step 226 in an exemplary arrangement the centralcircuitry operates to send one or more opportunity messages to thecarrier contact device which is the portable wireless device of the itemcarrier. The messages include the originating depository for pickup,parcel route for transport of the deposit item (or a bundle comprisingmultiple items), end point destination depository (or end point deliveryaddress) and monetary rate to be paid to the item carrier for transportof the deposit item. The messages may also provide an indication of thesize and weight of the deposit items. The exemplary messages may alsoinclude data to indicate to the item carrier how far the transport jobwill require the item carrier to go off their currently indicatedplanned travel route to the input destination at the originatingdepository and/or at the destination depository. In operation of theexemplary system the carrier contact device receives the data regardingthe transport assignment in at least one opportunity message asrepresented by a step 226. The control circuitry of the carrier contactdevice is then operative responsive to the received data in the at leastone opportunity message to provide one or more outputs to the itemcarrier user indicative of the available transport assignment. Theoutput data is then available for review by the item carrier user asrepresented at step 228. If the item carrier user finds the transportassignment details to be acceptable, the user operates the carriercontact device to provide one or more inputs as represented at step 230which indicates that the user accepts the transport assignment. Thecarrier contact device then operates in accordance with its programmingto send one or more item transport acceptance messages to the centralcircuitry as represented at step 232, indicative of the user acceptanceand willingness to transport the delivery item from the deliverydepository to the destination depository (or other end point location)in accordance with any other conditions specified in the at least oneopportunity message.

The central circuitry receives the at least one item transportacceptance message data from the user's carrier contact deviceindicating acceptance of the transport assignment as represented at step234. The central circuitry then operates to reserve the transportassignment for the item carrier as represented at a step 236. In theexemplary embodiment the central circuitry operates in accordance withits programming to reserve the transport assignment for the particularitem carrier user only for a limited period of time. This helps toassure that the deposit item is transported in a commercially promptmanner. In the event that the item carrier to which the transportassignment has been reserved does not act to obtain the deposit itemfrom the depository within the time period for which the transportassignment has been reserved, the central circuitry operates inaccordance with its programming to reassign the transport assignment toa different designated authorized item carrier. As can be appreciatedsuch a reassignment would generally require analysis of availabletransport carrier information and may change the route or otherinformation to which the deposit item is next transported. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesto be used.

Also in an exemplary embodiment a transport item carrier may sendtransport acceptance messages to accept a plurality of opportunitymessages corresponding to transport assignments associated with the itemcarrier's planned or available delivery location travel. This mayinclude a plurality of different deposit items, each of which may have arespective different pickup originating depository or shipment locationand delivery destination depository or delivery location. Thecommunication between the user device and the central circuitry enablesstoring the data related to each deposit item and transport job on theuser carrier contact device to facilitate the activities that the itemcarrier is to perform in a proper manner and sequence.

In the exemplary arrangement once the transport assignment has beenreserved for the authorized transport user by the central circuitryresponsive to the at least one item transport acceptance message, thecentral circuitry operates in a step 238 to generate the one-timedesignated carrier access code that will enable the authorized user toaccess the originating depository in which the deposit item is currentlylocated. At step 240 the central circuitry then operates to send the atleast one transport assignment message to the carrier contact device.The exemplary at least one transport assignment message includes datacorresponding to the one-time designated carrier access code and thelocation data for the originating depository to the item carrier. Theuser's carrier contact device operates to receive the data such as inthe at least one transport assignment message represented at step 242.The exemplary central circuitry is operative to correlate the storeddata corresponding to at least two of the item carrier identifyinginformation, the delivery item identifier, and the depository from whichthe item carrier will receive the item and/or a respective interior areathereof, in the at least one data store such that they are stored incorrelated relation. The exemplary central circuitry is furtheroperative to store in correlated relation the stored data regarding theone time carrier access code and at least one of the item carrieridentifying information, the delivery item identifier, and thedepository/interior area in which the delivery item is housed. Thecontact device then operates in accordance with its programming to guidethe item carrier such as through the use of GPS data, to the originatingdepository location at which the deposit item is to be picked up.

Once the item carrier has arrived at the originating depository, thecarrier contact device is operated by the item carrier to wirelesslysend their user identifying information from the carrier contact deviceto the at least one input device of the depository. In the exemplaryarrangement as represented at step 244, the user's wireless token datais sent from the carrier contact device of the user item carrier to theRF input device such as the wireless portal associated with thedepository. The control circuitry of the depository is operative toreceive user identifying data as represented at step 246, and is alsooperative to enable the keypad of the depository to receive an inputaccess code which may correspond to the one-time designated carrieraccess code as represented at step 248. In other arrangements thedesignated carrier access code may be received through other inputdevices in operative connection with the depository, such as forexample, the wireless portal. The control circuitry is then operativeresponsive at least in part to receipt of the input access code to sendat least one repository access request message as represented at step250. The at least one repository access request message includes datacorresponding to the user identification data, the input access codevalue and depository identifying data to the central circuitry. Thecentral circuitry operates to receive the data in the at least onerepository access request message from the depository as represented atstep 252 and makes an authorized access determination responsive toverifying based on the stored data that the user identifying datacorresponds to the authorized user who is to receive the deposit item,and that the input access code value corresponds to the designatedaccess code appropriate for accessing the depository (or in somearrangements a particular compartment thereof). In some arrangements thecentral circuitry is also operative to carry out the authorized accessdetermination responsive to the identifying data for the depositoryreceiving the input access code value and/or the user identificationdata corresponding to the origination depository for the transport ofthe deposit item. The authorized access determination is represented bystep 254.

Responsive to the authorized access determination that the useridentifying data and the one-time designated access code received at theoriginating depository is appropriate for accessing the deposit item,the central circuitry then is operative to send at least one repositoryaccess approval message to the originating depository as represented atstep 256 to enable the interior area holding the deposit item in thedepository to be accessed. As represented at step 258 the controlcircuitry of the originating depository is operative to receive andverify the genuineness of the message data from the central circuitry.Responsive at least in part to receipt and verification of the at leastone depository access approval message, the control circuitry isoperative to cause the lock to be changed to the unlocked condition asrepresented at step 260. The deposit item in the interior area of thedepository thereby becomes accessible to the item carrier. The exemplarycontrol circuitry associated with the originating depository is thenoperative to detect the opening of the door and to operate the sensorscomprising reading devices to capture the indicia such as machinereadable bar code for example, included on the deposit item that isremoved from the interior area of the depository as represented by step262. Alternatively in some arrangements the item carrier may capture animage of the item identifying indicia using their portable wirelessdevice. In some arrangements exemplary control circuitry is alsooperative to capture a plurality of images including the user and thedeposit item, and to store the image data along with time data in thedata store associated with the depository control circuitry. The weightsensor is also operative to indicate the change in weight associatedwith the removed item. This is represented by step 264.

The exemplary control circuitry and/or portable wireless device is thenoperative to send at least one parcel removal message to the centralsystem circuitry, at step 266. The at least one parcel removal messageincludes parcel removal data corresponding to the identifying indiciaread by the at least one sensor from the deposit item and the weightdata. In other exemplary arrangements the parcel removal data mayinclude other data that can be detected or read by one or morereaders/sensors of the originating depository and/or through operationof the item carrier's portable wireless device. The central circuitryreceives the parcel removal data in the at least one parcel removalmessage at step 268 and is operative at step 270 to verify that theparcel removal data corresponding to the read indicia corresponds to thedeposit item identifying data for the delivery item that is to be takenby the identified item carrier that has accessed the depository based onthe correlated stored data. The central circuitry may also verify thatthe weight removed and/or the size and/or other property of the itemremoved corresponds to removal of the proper delivery item. The centralcircuitry then operates at step 272 to send one or more correct parcelremoval messages to the originating depository, that indicate that thedeposit item identification indicia and user indicia is appropriate.Alternatively or in addition the at least one correct parcel removalmessages may be sent to the carrier contact device. The controlcircuitry of the depository may receive the message data from thecentral circuitry as represented at step 274 and is operative to providean indication to the user that the removal activity is appropriate asrepresented at step 276. As previously discussed this indication may begiven through visual and/or audible indication output by one or moreoutput devices such as indicators on the depository. Alternatively suchindications may be provided as outputs from the carrier contact device.Of course if the deposit item removal activity or user data is notappropriate, then negative indication outputs are provided eitherthrough the depository indicators and/or through messages that are sentby the central circuitry to the user's portable wireless carrier contactdevice.

The control circuitry of the exemplary originating depository is thenoperative responsive to the captured image data from the sensors such asreading devices, and/or the detected change in weight, to make adetermination of the action status that has been carried out by the itemcarrier with regard to the identified deposit item. Alternatively or inaddition the determination may be carried out responsive at least inpart to a wireless message from the carrier contact device responsive toan input from the user indicating that they have removed the parcel.This determination which is represented by step 278, is an actiondetermination that the deposit item has been removed from the interiorarea of the depository. The control circuitry associated with theoriginating depository then senses for detection that the depositorydoor has been closed as represented in step 280. As previously discussedthe control circuitry of the depository either alone or throughcommunication with the central circuitry, may operate to prompt the userto close the depository door in the event that closure is not detectedwithin a programmed time. The control circuitry then operates to causethe lock to be changed to the locked condition once the door is closedas represented by step 282. The control circuitry then operates to sendone or more delivery item parcel removal messages to the centralcircuitry indicating that the deposit item has been removed and takenfrom the depository by the item carrier as represented by step 284. Ascan be appreciated this process may be carried out for multiple parcelsthat are to be transported by the item carrier.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the one or more deliveryitem parcel removal messages from the depository and/or the carriercontact device that the deposit item has been taken by the item carrier,the exemplary central circuitry operates as indicated at step 286 toupdate the status data for the deposit item in the associated data storeto indicate that the deposit item is with the authorized item carrier.In some exemplary arrangements the central circuitry then operates tocause at least one pickup request confirmation message to be sent to theportable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier who hastaken the deposit item to confirm that they have the item. This isrepresented by step 288. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier operates in accordance with its programming to causeone or more outputs that prompt the item carrier to confirm that theyhave received possession of the deposit item. This is represented atstep 290. As represented at step 292, the user's portable wirelesscarrier contact device operates responsive to at least one confirmationinput from the item carrier to send one or more wireless delivery itempossession confirmation messages to the central circuitry to confirmthat the user received possession of the deposit item. Of course itshould be understood that in other exemplary arrangements the centralsystem circuitry may omit the confirmation steps 286 through 292. Thisis particularly true in situations where the user indicates that theyhave the item by providing an input to their carrier contact deviceindicating they have taken the item and/or the user scans the parcelidentifying indicia using the camera on the device, which results inwireless messages to the central system circuitry.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the delivery itempossession confirmation messages from the user's portable wirelesscarrier contact device at step 294, or in some arrangements moredirectly responsive to one or more parcel removal messages, the centralcircuitry operates to recover from memory or otherwise resolve thedestination depository for the item carrier to deliver the deposit item.This is represented at step 296. The exemplary central circuitry furtheroperates to generate a one-time access delivery code to be input by theitem carrier to the destination depository into which the item carrieris to place the deposit item. This is represented by step 298. Theexemplary central system circuitry is further operative to store incorrelated relation the data corresponding to at least two of thedelivery item identifier, the item carrier identifying information, theone time access code, and the depository/interior area into which thedelivery item is to be placed. The exemplary central circuitry is nextoperative to send at least one item transport delivery message includingdata corresponding to the one-time item carrier access code and thelocation information for the destination depository to the user'sportable wireless carrier contact device. This is represented by step300. The exemplary central circuitry continues to monitor the locationof the portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierthrough GPS as the deposit item is transported toward the destinationdepository. This is represented by step 302.

As represented by step 304, in the exemplary system the portablewireless device of the transport user is operative to receive in the atleast one item transport delivery message the data regarding thedepository location and the one-time item carrier access delivery code.The portable wireless carrier contact device operates in accordance withits programming to direct the item carrier through use of the GPS dataor other location data to the destination depository or other locationat which the deposit item is to be delivered. This is represented bystep 306. Upon arrival at the destination depository the item carrieroperates their portable wireless device to cause the user identifyingdata including the user ID token to be sent from the user's device tothe RF input device of the depository. This is represented by step 308.

In an exemplary arrangement the control circuitry associated with thedestination depository is operative to receive the wireless useridentifying information as represented by step 310. The controlcircuitry is also operative to enable receipt through the keypad or insome arrangements the wireless portal of the destination depository, ofthe input access code value corresponding to the one-time item carrieraccess delivery code from the item carrier. This is represented by step312. The control circuitry associated with the destination depository isoperative to send the received user identifying data, the input accesscode value, and depository identifying data to the central circuitry inat least one repository access message as represented by step 314. Theexemplary central circuitry is operative to receive the data in the atleast one repository access message as represented by step 316, andoperates to verify that the received user data corresponds to the itemcarrier and that the input access code value corresponds to the one-timeitem carrier access delivery code as represented in step 318. Theexemplary central circuitry is then operative to send at least onerepository access approval message to the depository which includes dataindicative that the received user data and the code data are appropriatebased on the correlated stored data, and that the central systemcircuitry determined interior area of the destination depository (or aparticular compartment of the depository) should be unlocked so as tomake the designated interior area of the destination repositoryaccessible. This is represented by step 320.

The control circuitry of the exemplary destination depository isoperative to receive the repository access approval message data fromthe central circuitry as represented by step 322. Responsive to the atleast one repository message from the central circuitry being receivedand verified, the control circuitry associated with the destinationdepository is operative to cause the appropriate lock thereof to bechanged to the unlocked condition as represented in step 324. As aresult the designated interior area of the destination repository isexternally accessible so that the delivery item may be placed therein bythe item carrier. In some arrangements responsive to detecting that thedepository door has been opened, the exemplary control circuitry isoperative to cause the reading devices to capture the machine readableindicia including the identifying indicia on the deposit item beingplaced in the designated interior area of the destination depository asrepresented by step 326. Alternatively the item carrier may use theirportable wireless device to capture an image of the parcel identifyingindicia and/or the depository to document placement of the item. Thecontrol circuitry may also be operative to cause images from the readingdevices and the change in weight detected by the at least one weightsensor to be captured and stored in the at least one data store alongwith the data corresponding to the captured identifying indicia on thedeposit item, to document the accessing of the depository and theplacement of the deposit item therein. This is represented by step 328.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the destinationdepository is next operative to send at least one parcel insertionmessage which is alternatively referred to herein as a parcel placementmessage, to the central system circuitry as represented in step 330. Theexemplary at least one parcel insertion message includes datacorresponding to the indicia read and/or sensed from the deposit itemincluding the machine readable indicia. Alternatively in somearrangements the parcel insertion message may be sent by the carriercontact device responsive to using the device to read the parcelidentifier and receiving at least one input indicative of placement inthe depository. The central circuitry receives the data included in theat least one parcel insertion message at step 332 and verifies that theindicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item (size, weight or otherinformation or properties) corresponds to the correlated stored data forthe deposit item to be deposited in the destination depository. Thisincludes verifying that the read machine readable indicia read from thedeposit item placed in the destination depository corresponds to thedelivery item identifier. The central circuitry also verifies that theidentifying data associated with the user corresponds to the user thatis authorized to place the delivery item into the depository. This isrepresented by step 334. The central circuitry is then operative to sendone or more correct parcel placement verification messages to thecontrol circuitry of the destination depository to indicate that thereceived identifying indicia on the deposit item is correct.Alternatively or in addition the at least one correct parcelverification message may be sent to the carrier contact device. This isrepresented by step 336. The exemplary control circuitry of thedepository receives the at least one correct parcel placementverification messages from the central circuitry as represented in step338 and provides one or more outputs to the user to indicate that theindicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item is appropriate asrepresented in step 340. The at least one output may be provided by atleast one output device of the destination depository and/or through anoutput device of the carrier contact device. The exemplary controlcircuitry associated with the depository may then be operative toanalyze the captured image data and/or weight data to determine theaction status associated with the deposit item. As represented in step342 the control circuitry is operative to determine an action statusthat the deposit item has been received into the interior area of thedepository.

In other exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated withthe depository may operate in an alternative manner to provide theauthorized user with access to the interior area so that the deposititem may be placed therein. In such alternative arrangements the controlcircuitry may operate to receive the user identifying data wirelesslyfrom the mobile wireless device associated with the user in a mannerlike that previously discussed. This may be done for example through awireless input device such as a wireless transceiver in operativeconnection with the control circuitry that is operative to controlaccess to the depository. Further in this alternative arrangement, acamera of the portable wireless device associated with the item carriermay be utilized as the reading device which is operative to read theitem identifying indicia on the deposit item. The mobile carrier contactdevice may then operate to wirelessly communicate the item identifyingindicia to the control circuitry. This may be done through the same or adifferent wireless communication path as the user identifyinginformation. The control circuitry may then operate in accordance withits circuit executable instructions to make a determination based on thecorrelated stored data that the user identifying information correspondsto an authorized user, as well as a determination that the read itemindicia corresponds to a deposit item that is authorized to be placedwithin the depository. The control circuitry may then operate inaccordance with its programmed circuit executable instructions to causethe corresponding lock associated with the appropriate depository doorto be changeable to the unlocked condition responsive at least in partto the user identification determination, the determination that thedeposit item indicia corresponds to previously stored data indicativethat the item is authorized to be placed in the respective interior areaof the depository, or both. Further in some alternative exemplaryarrangements, the control circuitry may operate responsive at least inpart to the read item identifying indicia, which may include additionalinformation about the item, to operate to cause the corresponding lockto be able to be placed in the unlocked condition. For example in someexemplary arrangements the item indicia included on the deposit item maycorrespond to a destination repository or a location in which thedeposit item is to be delivered. In some exemplary arrangements thecontrol circuitry may operate to determine if the item indicia includesdata corresponding to the GPS determined location and/or identifyinginformation for the depository in which the item is sought to bepositioned. Responsive at least in part to the determination, thecontrol circuitry is operative to enable the depository lock associatedwith the interior area in which the item is authorized to be placed, tobe changeable to the unlocked condition. Further although in theexemplary arrangements the data regarding item carrier contactinformation and/or one-time access code, the delivery item identifier orother information may be received from a carrier contact device throughan input device such as a wireless portal that is located at theparticular depository, in other arrangements such information may bereceived through at least one wireless transceiver located remotely fromthe depository. For example, in such arrangements location data, such asGPS data associated with the location of the carrier contact device, maybe provided to the central system circuitry in the messages from thecarrier contact device. Such location data may be usable by the centralsystem circuitry to determine that the carrier contact device is inproximity to a particular depository. Thus in such alternativearrangements it is not necessary for the local circuitry associated withthe particular depository to receive the messages from the carriercontact device for purposes of assuring that the carrier contact deviceis in proximity to the depository and the item carrier is positioned toplace the delivery item in or remove the delivery item from thedepository. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

After the deposit item is placed in the interior area the exemplarycontrol circuitry then operates in accordance with its programming tosense for closure of the depository door. This is represented by step344. As previously discussed the exemplary control circuitry may providedifferent forms of prompts to the user in the event that the depositorydoor is not sensed as closed within a programmed time. Responsive todetecting the closure of the depository door the control circuitry ofthe destination repository operates to change the condition of the lockto the locked condition as represented by step 346. The exemplarycontrol circuitry is then operative to send one or more deliverycompletion messages from the depository to the central system circuitryto indicate that the deposit item is within the designated interior areaof the depository as represented by step 348. Alternatively or inaddition a delivery completion message may be sent by the carriercontact device responsive to at least one input thereto by the itemcarrier. The exemplary central circuitry responsive to receiving thedelivery completion messages, operates to update the status related tothe deposit item in its associated at least one data store to indicatethat the deposit item is located within the particular destinationdepository. This is represented by step 350.

In situations where the delivery completion message is not sent from thecarrier contact device, the exemplary central circuitry is nextoperative to send one or more delivery confirmation request messages tothe portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierrequesting confirmation that the deposit item has been placed in thedestination depository. This is represented by step 352. The portablewireless carrier contact device of the item carrier operates responsiveto the received messages to provide outputs which prompt the user toconfirm the placement of the deposit item in the destination depository.This is represented by step 354. Responsive to receipt of at least oneinput from the item carrier the portable wireless carrier contact deviceis operative at step 356 to provide one or more delivery confirmationresponse messages to the central circuitry confirming that the user hasplaced the deposit item in the interior area of the destinationdepository. In other exemplary arrangements the confirmation steps 352through 356 are not carried out.

The central circuitry of the exemplary arrangement is operativeresponsive at least in part to receipt of the delivery confirmationresponse messages from the transport user at step 358 or more directlyresponsive at least in part to the at least one delivery completionmessage, to determine that the item carrier has completed the transportassignment and to calculate a payment that is due to the item carrier asrepresented at step 360. The exemplary central circuitry is thenoperative to credit the item carrier for a payment amount correspondingto the payment that is due as represented at step 362. This may includecrediting an account associated with the item carrier for the amountpayable. Alternatively it may include a financial transfer to an accountassociated with the item carrier. Various payment forms may beaccomplished depending on the arrangement that has been set up by thecentral system circuitry for making payment to the particular itemcarrier. The exemplary central circuitry then operates to send one ormore messages to the carrier contact device of the item carrierindicating the payment as represented at step 364. The item carrierreceives the notice of the payment through the portable wireless carriercontact device which outputs appropriate messages to the item carrieruser as represented at step 366. Of course it should be understood thatthese steps are representative of only some exemplary paymenttransactions that may be carried out responsive to operation of thecentral circuitry.

In this example the initial item carrier was available only to transportthe deposit item to a destination depository at an intermediatedestination, and not to the final destination depository for the deposititem. Therefore responsive to the determination that the deposit itemhas arrived at the intermediate destination depository, the exemplarycentral circuitry is operative to determine a next destinationdepository for the deposit item. This is represented by step 368. Aspreviously discussed the central circuitry will operate to have thedeposit item reach its final destination depository with a minimumnumber of intermediate destinations. However if it is not possible withthe available item carriers to move the deposit item to its finaldestination with the next transport assignment, the exemplary controlcircuitry will cause the deposit item to be moved to anotherintermediate destination depository that is closer to its finaldestination. However for purposes of this example the next transportassignment will result in the deposit item reaching its finaldestination depository. Of course it should be understood that in otherarrangements delivery may be made to a recipient's address rather thanto a destination repository.

The exemplary central circuitry conducts a similar analysis to thatpreviously discussed with regard to available item carriers for purposesof determining the next transport assignment which can be made for thedeposit item. The central circuitry may also conduct an analysis of theavailable item carrier information at step 370. The central circuitrymay also review the rating data and other information for the availableitem carriers as represented at step 372. As represented at step 374 acomparative analysis is done of the available item carrier data topending transport jobs to produce a match as represented at step 376.The exemplary central circuitry will then operate to determine thedestination depository endpoint (or delivery location endpoint) for thedeposit item delivery to be made by the available item carrier asrepresented at step 378. In this example the next destination will bethe destination depository which is the final delivery destination forthe deposit item.

The exemplary central circuitry is further operative to calculate therate information to be paid for the transport by the available itemcarrier. This is represented at step 380. In some exemplary arrangementsthe central circuitry may operate to provide item carriers withincentives to transport particular deposit items. For example, if anitem is not moving toward the final destination at an acceptable rate,the central circuitry may offer a premium to an available item carrierto transport the item. Of course this approach is exemplary.

The exemplary central circuitry is then operative at step 382 to sendone or more opportunity messages to the portable wireless carriercontact device of the selected item carrier which describes thetransport job that is available. In the exemplary arrangement the dataincluded in the at least one opportunity message includes informationregarding the pickup originating depository, deposit item parcel,transport route, endpoint destination depository and monetary amount orrate to be paid to the available item carrier. Of course in some casesadditional or different information may be provided. Further in somearrangements an item carrier may be offered an opportunity to transportmultiple parcels to the same destination or to multiple destinationsalong a common route. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier receives the at least one opportunity message asrepresented by step 384. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier operates responsive at least in part to the receiveddata included in the at least one opportunity message to provide atleast one an output which indicates the details of the availabletransport job which the item carrier can then review as represented atstep 386. If the item carrier wishes to accept the transport job, theitem carrier provides one or more inputs to their portable wirelesscarrier contact device as represented at step 388, and the carriercontact device operates to send one or more item transport acceptancemessages indicating a willingness to accept the transport job asrepresented at step 390.

As represented by step 392 the central circuitry operates to receive theitem transport acceptance messages including data indicating that theitem carrier is willing to perform the transport job, and reserves thetransport assignment for the item carrier as represented at step 394.The central circuitry operates to generate one-time designated carrieraccess code for the item carrier as represented at step 396. The centralsystem circuitry operates to store the correlated data corresponding toat least two of the authorized user identifying data for the user whohas accepted the item transport assignment, the delivery itemidentifying data, the one time access code, and the interiorarea/depository where the item will be placed in a manner like thatpreviously discussed. The central circuitry operates to send at leastone transport assignment message including data corresponding to theone-time designated carrier access code and the location data for theoriginating depository to the user's portable wireless carrier contactdevice as represented by step 398.

The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierreceives the access code and location information in the at least onetransport assignment message as represented by step 400. The portablewireless carrier contact device operates in accordance with itsprogramming and the originating depository location information to guidethe user to the depository as represented by step 402. As in theprevious example the carrier contact device may be tracked via GPS, cellphone data or other methodology. Once arriving at the depository theitem carrier operates the portable wireless carrier contact device tosend the wireless identifying information such as the ID token data thatidentifies the item carrier, to the RF input device of the originatingdepository as represented by step 404. The control circuitry of thedepository receives the item carrier user identifying information asrepresented at step 406. The circuitry associated with the originatingdepository also receives an input access code that may correspond to theone-time designated carrier access code from the item carrier asrepresented by step 408. The depository control circuitry is thenoperative to send at least one depository access request messageincluding data corresponding to the user identifying information, theone-time designated carrier code and the depository identifyinginformation, to the central circuitry as represented by step 410.

The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least onedepository access request message from the depository at step 412 andoperates using the stored data to verify the user identifyinginformation corresponding to the authorized item carrier and that theinput access code corresponds to the one-time designated carrier accesscode as represented at step 414. The central circuitry is operative tosend one or more depository access approval messages to the depositoryindicating that the received item carrier identifying information anddesignated carrier access code is appropriate for accessing the interiorarea of the originating depository. This is represented by step 416. Thecontrol circuitry associated with the depository receives the at leastone depository access approval message from the central circuitryindicating that the depository is to be opened and verifies theauthenticity of the message as represented at step 418. The controlcircuitry associated with the depository is operative responsive atleast in part to the at least one depository access approval message tocause the lock controlling access to the interior area or compartmentspace where the deposit item is housed to be enabled to be changed tothe unlocked condition as represented at step 420. The control circuitryis further operative to operate at least one sensor to sense and/orcapture the machine readable deposit item identifying indicia on thedeposit item, image and/or size or other property data and the change indetected weight as the item is removed from the interior area of theoriginating depository as represented by step 422. Alternatively theitem carrier may operate their portable wireless device to capture oneor more images of the item identifying indicia and the device sends theimage data and/or parcel identifying indicia to the central circuitry.The exemplary control circuitry also captures and stores imagesassociated with accessing the depository including the item carrier userand the removal of the deposit item as represented by step 424. Thecontrol circuity also associates time data with the captured images. Thecontrol circuitry is then operative to send at least one parcel removalmessage including data corresponding to the deposit identifying indicia,size, other property data and/or weight information to the centralcircuitry as represented by step 426. Alternatively or in addition oneor more parcel removal messages may be sent by the carrier contactdevice.

The central circuitry is operative to receive the data included in theat least one parcel removal message as represented by step 428 andverify that the indicia read from the deposit item, size property dataand/or weight data corresponds to the deposit item to be taken by theuser whose identifying data has been received as represented at step430. This may include verifying that machine readable indicia read fromthe deposit item corresponds to the deposit item identifier. The centralcircuitry is then operative to send one or more correct parcelverification messages to the depository indicating that the informationreceived related to the deposit item and the user is correct.Alternatively or in addition the one or more correct parcel verificationmessages may be sent to the carrier contact device. This is representedby step 432.

The depository is operative to receive the data included in the at leastone correct parcel verification messages from the central circuitry asrepresented by step 434 and to provide an indication to the user from anoutput device that the identifying indicia for the deposit item beingremoved is correct as represented at step 436. Alternatively or inaddition the central circuitry may operate to send the confirmationmessage to the item carrier's portable wireless device. Of course aspreviously discussed, if the indicia, size, property and/or weightassociated with the deposit item and/or the user data is incorrect, awarning indication is output from an output device of the depositoryand/or the user's portable wireless carrier contact device to indicatethe error. The control circuitry associated with the exemplarydepository is then operative to determine from the sensors of theoriginating repository which comprise reading devices and/or messagesfrom the carrier contact device, the action status associated with thedeposit item. In this case the action status corresponds to the deposititem being removed as indicated at step 438. The exemplary controlcircuitry of the depository then operates to sense the closure of thedepository door as represented by step 440 and to change the conditionof the lock to the locked condition as represented at step 442. Thedepository control circuitry is then operative to send one or moredelivery item parcel removal messages to the central circuitry which areindicative of and give a notification that the deposit item has beentaken as represented by step 444.

The exemplary central circuitry is then operative to update data in atleast one data store corresponding to the status of the deposit item toindicate that the deposit is with the item carrier as represented bystep 446. In some arrangements the central circuitry may also cause oneor more confirmation request messages to be sent to the transport user'sportable wireless carrier contact device requesting confirmation thatthe item carrier has possession of the deposit item. This is representedby step 448. The portable wireless device of the transport user operatesto receive these confirmation request messages and to provide outputs tothe item carrier indicating the request for confirmation. This isrepresented by step 450. Responsive to the item carrier providing inputswhich confirm the item carrier has possession of the deposit item, theportable wireless carrier contact device sends one or more confirmationresponse messages to the central circuitry confirming possession of thedeposit item by the user. This is represented by step 452.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least oneconfirmation response message from the item carrier's portable wirelesscarrier contact device at step 454 and/or the parcel removal messages,the central circuitry is operative to recover data corresponding to thedestination depository for the deposit item at step 456 and to generatethe one-time item carrier access delivery code usable by the itemcarrier to access the depository at the destination as represented atstep 458. The central circuitry is then operative to send at least oneitem transport delivery message including data corresponding to theone-time code and the location of the destination depository to thecarrier contact device at step 460. The central system circuitry furtheroperates to store the correlated data corresponding to at least two ofthe authorized item carrier identifying information, the one time accesscode, the deposit item identifying data, and the interiorarea/destination repository data in the at least one data store.

The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierreceives the data including the one-time code and the depositorylocation in the at least one item transport delivery message at step462. The user operates the portable wireless carrier contact device tobe guided to the destination depository through GPS or other locationfinding methods as represented by step 464. The central circuitry of theexemplary arrangement tracks the item carrier through GPS tracking asrepresented by step 466. Upon arrival at the destination depository theitem carrier operates their portable wireless carrier contact device toprovide their user identification data such as the ID token to the RFinput device of the depository as represented at step 468. The controlcircuitry is operative to receive the user identifying data asrepresented at step 470. The keypad or the wireless portal of thedepository is also operative to receive an input access codecorresponding to the one-time item carrier access delivery code from theitem carrier as represented at step 472. The control circuitry of thedepository is operative to send data corresponding to the useridentifying data, the input access code corresponding to the one-timeitem carrier access delivery code and depository identifying data to thecentral circuitry in at least one depository access request message asrepresented at step 474.

The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least onedeposit access request message from the destination depository asrepresented at step 476 and operates using the stored data to verify theuser identifying data and the input access code as corresponding to theone-time item carrier access delivery code as authorized at step 478.The central circuitry is operative to send one or more access approvalmessages to the depository indicating that the received data isappropriate as represented by step 480, and the control circuitry of thedepository is operative to verify the received message data at step 482.Responsive to the received at least one access approval messageindicating that the user data and the code data is authorized, thecontrol circuitry of the depository is operative to cause the lockcontrolling access to the interior area or compartment space where thecentral system circuitry has determined the deposit item should beplaced to be changed to the unlocked condition as represented by step484. The control circuitry operates the sensors comprising readingdevices to capture the indicia on the deposit item, size, propertyand/or weight data for the deposit item that is being placed in theinterior area of the destination depository as represented by step 486.Alternatively the item carrier may capture the item indicia of theparcel placed in the interior area and send such images and/or datacorresponding to the indicia to the central circuitry. The controlcircuitry also operates the sensors comprising reading devices tocapture images including the item carrier access to the depository andthe placement of the deposit item therein, and to store the image dataalong with associated time data in the data store of the controlcircuitry. This is represented by step 488.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative tosend at least one parcel placement message including data correspondingto the indicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item to the centralcircuitry as represented by step 490. Alternatively or in addition atleast one parcel placement message may be sent by the carrier contactdevice. The central circuitry receives the identifying indicia at step492 and is operative in a step 494 to verify that the identifyingindicia, size, property and/or weight information corresponds to theappropriate deposit item and that the user identifying data correspondsto the appropriate user. The exemplary central circuitry is alsooperative to verify that the read machine readable indicia from thedeposit item corresponds to the delivery item identifier. The centralcircuitry is operative to send one or more messages verifying thecorrectness of the input data and deposit item as represented at step496. The at least one correct parcel verification messages mayalternatively or in addition be sent to the carrier contact device. Thecontrol circuitry of the depository receives the one or more messages asrepresented by step 498 and provides one or more outputs through theindicators or other output devices of the depository that the depositinformation is correct as represented by step 500.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative todetermine the action status of the deposit item from the data capturedby the reading devices. As represented in step 502 the action statusdetermination indicates that the deposit item has been received into thedepository. The control circuitry operates to sense the closing of thedepository door in a step 504, and responsive to sensing the doorclosure changes the lock to the locked condition as represented by step506. The control circuitry of the depository then operates to send oneor more deposit item received messages to the central circuitry toindicate that the deposit item is located within the depository. This isrepresented by step 508. Responsive to receiving the messages indicatingthat the deposit item is within the depository the central circuitry isoperative to update the stored record data regarding the deposit item inthe data store to indicate that the deposit item is within theparticular destination depository as represented by step 510.

In some arrangements, the exemplary central circuitry then operates tocause one or more confirmation request messages to be sent to theportable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier requestingconfirmation that the deposit item has been placed in the depository.This is represented by step 512. The portable wireless carrier contactdevice of the item carrier receives the messages and provides outputs tothe user indicating the request for confirmation. This is represented bystep 514. Responsive to inputs by the user to their portable wirelesscarrier contact device confirming the placement of the deposit item inthe depository, the portable wireless carrier contact device isoperative to send one or more delivery confirmation response messages asrepresented at step 516.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least one deliveryconfirmation message that the deposit item has been placed in thedepository at step 518, the central circuitry is operative to calculatethe payment that is due the item carrier for transport of the depositoryitem. This is represented by step 520. The central circuitry is thenoperative to credit the transport user a payment amount for thetransport services provided as represented at step 522. One or moremessages are sent to the carrier contact device at step 524 which arereceived by the user's portable wireless carrier contact device andwhich provide outputs to the item carrier indicating the payment madefor the transport of the deposit item as represented at step 526.

In some arrangements responsive to the determination by the centralcircuitry that the deposit item has been delivered to the indicatedfinal destination depository, the central circuitry is then operative todetermine the deposit item recipient to be notified of the delivery. Therecipient data including recipient contact data may be included in theat least one transport request message associated with the receipt ofthe deposit item. Alternatively in some arrangements the delivery itemdelivery location data may correspond to recipient data. The recipientdata for registered users including contact data for the user's devicemay be stored in a data store in operative connection with the centralsystem circuitry. The determination of the recipient data is representedby step 528. In exemplary arrangements the recipient of the deposit itemmay be the owner of the depository into which the deposit item has beenplaced as the final destination. Alternatively the recipient to benotified may be a registered user of the system that is not the owner ofthe depository in which the item has been placed, which necessitatesnotification and providing access for the intended recipient.

An example where the recipient of the deposit item is the owner of thedepository is represented by the logic flow included in FIGS. 28 through30. Responsive to the central circuitry determining that the depositoryowner is the recipient of the deposit item to be notified in step 528,the central circuitry operates to produce and at least one notificationmessage to the depository owner at step 530.The central circuitry isalso operative to generate a one-time recipient access code foraccessing the depository to retrieve the deposit item at step 532. Thecentral circuitry then operates to send at least one recipientnotification message including data corresponding to the one-timerecipient access code to the portable wireless device or other contactdevice of the depository owner as represented at step 534. The centralsystem circuitry further operates store in correlated relation the datacorresponding to at least two of the identifying data for the deposititem recipient, the one-time code, the deposit item identifier, and theinterior area/depository in which the deposit item is stored. Thedepository owner then travels to the depository and inputs theiridentifying data wirelessly to the RF input device of the depository asrepresented by step 536. This identifying data may include an ID tokenassigned through a registration process of the central system circuitry.The control circuitry of the depository receives the wireless messagesincluding the identifying data at step 538 and also operates to receivethe one-time recipient access code through the keypad, wireless portalor other input device at step 540. The control circuitry of thedepository is then operative to send at least one depository accessrequest message including data corresponding to the identification data,the input recipient access code and the depository identifier to thecentral circuitry at step 542.

The central circuitry operates to receive the data in the at least onedepository access request message at step 544 and uses the stored datato verify at step 546 that the received user identifying data andrecipient access code data correspond to the data for authorized accessto the interior area of the destination depository housing the deposititem. The central circuitry then operates to send one or more depositoryaccess approval messages to the depository as indicated at step 548. Thecontrol circuitry of the depository receives and verifies the messagedata at step 550 and changes the condition of the lock on the depositoryto the unlocked condition as represented by step 552. The exemplarycontrol circuitry of the depository operates to capture through sensorsand/or input devices the deposit item identifying indicia on the deposititem, size, property and/or weight data associated with the deposit itembeing removed from the depository as represented by step 554 and in somearrangements also captures images of the recipient depository user andthe deposit item which are stored in the data store of the depositorycontrol circuitry along with time data as represented at step 556.Alternatively or in addition the user may operate their mobile wirelessdevice to capture images of the item identifying indicia using a camerathereof and send it to the central circuitry.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository isoperative to send at least one parcel removal message including datacorresponding to the deposit item identifying indicia, size, propertyand/or weight data to the central circuitry as represented at step 558.The central circuitry receives the data at step 560 and at step 562verifies that the indicia, size, property and/or weight data sentregarding the deposit item and the user identifying data, corresponds tothe authorized removal of the deposit item from the depository.Alternatively or in addition the central circuitry receives the parcelidentifying indicia and/or other images or data from the recipient'sportable wireless device. In the exemplary arrangement the centralcircuitry is operative to determine that machine readable indicia readfrom the removed deposit item corresponds to the deposit itemidentifier. The central circuitry is operative at step 564 to send oneor more correct parcel removal messages to the depository indicatingthat the received information is appropriate. The control circuitry ofthe depository receives the one or more correct parcel removal messagesat step 566 and provides an indication through the one or moreindicators or other output devices of the depository that the deposititem removal data is appropriate at step 568. Alternatively or inaddition the at least one correct parcel removal message may be sent tothe recipient device.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository is thenoperative to determine from the captured image data, size, propertyand/or weight data the action status of the deposit item. This is donein a step 570 in which the action status that the deposit item has beenremoved from the depository is determined. The control circuitry thenoperates to sense the closing of the depository door in step 572 andcauses the condition of the lock to be changed to the locked conditionin a step 574. The control circuitry of the depository then operates tosend one or more parcel removed messages to the central circuitry toindicate that the deposit item has been removed from the depository atstep 576.

The exemplary central circuitry then operates to update the status dataincluded in one or more data stores of the central circuitry to indicatethe deposit item has been removed from the depository as represented instep 578. In some arrangements the central circuitry operates to sendone or more recipient confirmation request messages to the portablewireless device or other device of the recipient depository owner toconfirm that they have taken the deposit item as represented by step580. The portable wireless device or other device of the recipientdepository owner receives the receipt confirmation request messages andprovides outputs indicating that the confirmation is requested. This isrepresented by a step 582. Responsive to the depository owner providingone or more inputs to their portable wireless device or other recipientdevice confirming receipt of the deposit item, the recipient deviceoperates to send one or more recipient confirmation response messages tothe central circuitry as represented by step 584.

The central circuitry receives the at least one recipient confirmationresponse message from the depository owner at step 586. Responsive toreceiving the confirmation that the deposit item has been received bythe intended recipient, the central circuitry operates to send one ormore messages to the user device of the shipper user who is responsiblefor causing transport of the deposit item to the recipient. This isrepresented by step 588. Receipt of the information by the shipper whois the originator of the deposit item is represented by step 590. Theexemplary central circuitry is also operative at step 592 to calculatethe charge associated with the transport of the deposit item and toassess the charge to the shipper entity that requested the transport.The entity requesting the transport is notified of the charge throughone or more messages which are sent at step 594 and which are receivedby the user who is the shipper through their portable wireless device atstep 596. In the exemplary arrangement the charges are assessed to thefunds source in the manner as designated by the user requestingtransport at the time that the request was input to the system. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used. For example in other arrangements the chargesmay be assessed to a recipient.

The alternative exemplary logic flow when the recipient of the deposititem is not the owner of the destination depository is represented inFIGS. 31 to 34. In this exemplary arrangement from step 528 the centralcircuitry is operative to determine the deposit item recipient to benotified as represented in step 598. The recipient and/or recipientcontact data may be included in the transport request message. Therecipient and/or recipient contact data may alternatively be resolved bythe central circuitry from the delivery item destination location orother data included in the request for transport based on storedregistered user data in the at least one data store for the recipient.If the recipient is not a registered system user the central controlcircuitry may require additional information from the shipper user aspart of the transport request such as an invoice number or other datathat can be used to confirm the identity of the recipient. The centralcircuitry is further operative to determine the one-time recipientaccess code to be used to access the interior area of the depository inwhich the deposit item is held at step 600. The central circuitry isalso operative to determine data stored in the associated data storewhich corresponds to the applicable requirements associated with thedepository which houses the deposit item as represented at step 602.This may include restrictions placed on operation of the depository bythe depository owner, such as limited times for access or otherrequirements which restrict use of the depository by entities other thanthe depository owner. The central system circuitry further operates tostore in correlated relation the data corresponding to at least two ofthe deposit item recipient, the one-time code, the deposit itemidentifier, and the interior area/depository in which the deposit itemis stored.

The exemplary central circuitry may be operative to send datacorresponding to the notification and recipient access code and otherapplicable requirements to the portable wireless device (or otherdevice) of the recipient in at least one notification message asrepresented by step 604. The notification message may include useridentifying data for the recipient that is usable in connection withobtaining the deposit item if the recipient is not a registered systemuser who has an ID token. In some situations the identifying data mayinclude an ID token or other identifying data that was provided to therecipient during a registration process that is required to participatein the system. The portable wireless device is operative to provideoutputs to the recipient of the information needed to access thedepository to retrieve the deposit item. As can be appreciated, in somearrangements the information sent to the recipient may include GPS orother location data that facilitates the recipient traveling to thedepository to obtain the deposit item.

In an exemplary arrangement the recipient upon being in proximity withthe depository operates their portable wireless device to provide theuser identifying data wirelessly to the RF input device in operativeconnection with the depository as represented by step 606. Thedepository receives the identifying data as represented by step 608 andalso receives the one-time recipient access code through the keypad, orwireless portal or other input device as represented by step 610. Insome cases the recipient user may also be required to input otheridentifying data. The control circuitry is operative to cause datacorresponding to the received user identifying data, the code data anddepository identifying data to be sent to the central circuitry in atleast one depository access request message as represented by step 612.The central circuitry receives the data in the at least one depositoryaccess request message as represented at step 614 and operates using thestored data to verify the received user identifying data and therecipient access code data as represented at step 616. The centralcircuitry is then operative in a manner like that previously discussedto send one or more depository access approval messages to thedepository indicating that the activity is authorized and that thedepository interior area or particular compartment housing the deposititem should be unlocked. This is represented by step 618.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative toreceive and verify the at least one depository access approval messagefrom the central circuitry as represented by step 620. Responsive atleast in part to the receipt of the messages the control circuitry isoperative to unlock the lock to the interior area housing the deposititem as represented by step 622 and to cause the sensors comprisingreading devices to capture the size, properties and/or weight associatedwith the item and the machine readable indicia on the deposit itemremoved from the interior area of the depository as represented by step624. Alternatively or in addition the recipient may be prompted tocapture item identifying indicia from the parcel or other image datathrough use of the camera on their portable wireless device and transmitmessages to the control circuitry or the central circuitry includingsuch image data and/or indicia. The control circuitry is also operativein some arrangements to capture images of the recipient user and thedeposit item, and store the images and size, property and/or weight datain the data store associated with the control circuitry along with timedata as represented by step 626.

The control circuitry associated with the depository in somearrangements is operative to send data corresponding to the indicia readand/or sensed from the deposit item such as size, property and/or weightdata to the central circuitry in at least one parcel removal message asrepresented by step 628. The central circuitry receives the data fromthe depository and/or the recipient device as represented by step 630and operates to verify that the received indicia and weight datacorresponds to the appropriate depository item and that the useridentifying data received corresponds to the authorized recipient asrepresented by step 632. In an exemplary arrangement the centralcircuitry is operative to verify that the machine readable indicia readfrom the removed deposit item corresponds to the delivery itemidentifier which identifies the particular parcel. The central circuitryis operative to send one or more correct parcel verification messages tothe depository indicating that the information related to removal of thedeposit item is correct. Such messages may additionally or alternativelybe sent to the recipient device. This is represented by step 634. Thecontrol circuitry of the depository is operative to receive the correctparcel verification messages from the central circuitry as representedby step 636 and to provide one or more outputs through the indicators orother output devices on the depository that the deposit item informationis correct as represented by step 638.

The control circuitry of the exemplary depository is then operative toanalyze the captured image data, size property and/or weight data todetermine the action status associated with the deposit item asrepresented by step 640. In this situation the control circuitry isoperative to determine that the deposit item has been removed from thedepository. The control circuitry is also operative to sense for closureof the depository door as represented by step 642, and responsive tosensing the closure thereof, to cause the lock to be returned to thelocked condition as represented by step 644. The control circuitry ofthe depository is operative to send one or more delivery completionmessages to the central circuitry indicating that the deposit item hasbeen removed from the depository as represented by step 646. The centralcircuitry is operative to receive the delivery completion messages fromthe depository and update the status data in the data store related tothe deposit item to indicate that the deposit item has been removed fromthe depository as represented in step 648.

In a manner like that previously discussed, in some arrangements thecentral circuitry is further operative to cause one or more receiptconfirmation request messages to be sent to the portable wireless deviceof the recipient. This is represented by step 650. The messages requestconfirmation that the deposit item has been received by the recipient.The portable wireless device of the recipient is operative responsive tothe messages to provide outputs requesting such confirmation asrepresented by step 652. The recipient then provides one or more inputsto their portable wireless device confirming receipt of the deposit itemas represented by step 654. The recipient wireless device operatesresponsive to the recipient inputs to send at least one receiptconfirmation response message to the central circuitry. The centralcircuitry is operative to receive the at least one receipt confirmationfrom the recipient at step 656, and to send a notification message tothe user device of the shipper user that requested the transport of thedeposit item to indicate that the item has been received at step 658.The portable wireless device of the shipper user that requested thetransport receives one or more delivery indication messages asrepresented by step 660.

The exemplary central circuitry is also operative to calculate thecharge to be assessed to the shipper user requesting transport of thedeposit item for the transport thereof. This is represented by step 662.The charge for transport is assessed to the shipper user in the mannerdesignated at the time of requesting shipment, and the user is notifiedof the charge as represented at step 664. The user receives the chargenotifications through their portable wireless device as represented bystep 667.

Further in this exemplary arrangement because the deposit item wasdelivered to the recipient through the depository that is owned by adepository owner other than the recipient, the depository owner receivesa payment for the associated use of their depository in connection withthe delivery of the deposit item. In the exemplary arrangement thecentral circuitry is operative to calculate a payment that is due thedepository owner as represented in a step 668. In some exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry is operative to send one or moremessages to the portable wireless device or other system device operatedby the depository owner to indicate the receipt of the payments for theuse of the depository. Alternatively in other exemplary arrangements,the central circuitry may operate to credit an account of the depositoryowner for such use of the depository by offsetting the amount of creditsagainst charges to the depository owner for acceptance, transport and/ordelivery of deposit items. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

It should be understood that while the examples provided discuss usersdealing with a single depository item, in exemplary systems numerousdifferent deposit items will be handled by each authorized user. Thismay be particularly true of item carrier users that simultaneouslyhandle a plurality of deposit items that are being transported as abundle or group between different depositories. The exemplaryembodiments help to assure that the proper depository items are removedand deposited in the proper depository for purposes of transporting theitem to the proper destination. The ability of the exemplaryarrangements to provide an indication of any incorrect actions and totrack the whereabouts of deposit items within the system at all timesfacilitates the prompt and reliable transport and delivery of suchdepository items.

Further the exemplary arrangements provide advantages for transport ofitems between depositories by enabling the transport to be made byindividuals who often are otherwise commuting or otherwise traveling tolocations where item transport can be conducted as an ancillary activitythat generates revenue for the users. Such transport can also be made inincremental steps as previously discussed based on the availabletransport users. The ability to utilize such user resources can alsoprovide more options for transport of items, while reducing costscompared to scheduled transport systems.

As previously discussed in other exemplary arrangements item carriersmay deliver deposit items to recipient addresses rather than to an itemdepository as a final destination. In such arrangements the item carriermay use their carrier contact device for purposes of documenting thedelivery to the recipient. This may include for example, using thecarrier contact device as a reader to capture images of the deposititem, including the identifying indicia on the parcel, showing theparcel placed at the delivery location. Alternatively or in addition anitem carrier may utilize the carrier contact device and the camerathereon to capture images that show the recipient facility or theindividual to whom the item is delivered. In still other exemplaryarrangements the item carrier device may be operated by the item carrierto receive audio or audiovisual acknowledgments from the recipient todocument the delivery of the parcel. Exemplary carrier contact devicesmay also include circuit executable instructions that enable the itemcarrier to capture a “signature” of the parcel recipient throughsignature capture via recipient finger contact with the touchscreen ofthe carrier contact device or through other types of inputs which therecipient has agreed correspond to their legal signature. Messagesincluding the parcel identifying indicia, and delivery documentation aretransmitted to the central system circuitry from the carrier contactdevice. In some arrangements the data sent may also include positiondata, such as GPS data, which is indicative of the location and time atwhich such documentation was captured. Such information may be imbeddedin metadata of captured images for example. The exemplary central systemcircuitry is operative to store in at least one data store the deliverydocumentation in connection with the other data related to the deliveryitem. Such record information related to the delivery of the parcel maybe stored in at least one data store in connection with the centralcircuitry for a programmed period of time so that the delivery thereofto the recipient can be audited and documented in the event thatquestions arise as to the delivery or disposition of the particularparcel. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

Similar approaches may be used in some exemplary arrangements to have anitem carrier pick up deposit items at an originating shipper address.The item carrier may operate their mobile device to capture the itemidentifying information and other item and shipper information todocument acceptance of the item for transport.

In exemplary arrangements the central system or other connected systemsmay be further operative to assure that the depositories operateproperly and that malfunctions or anomalies are detected and correctedpromptly. For example in exemplary arrangements the central system mayoperate to receive information from the control circuitry associatedwith each depository that is indicative of conditions or statusesassociated with the devices that are included as part of the depositoryor that are in operative connection therewith. In some exemplaryarrangements the control circuitry of each depository may be operativeto automatically report condition and/or status information on aperiodic basis to the central circuitry. Alternatively or in additionthe central circuitry may be operative to periodically poll the controlcircuitry of each depository, which polling messages are operative tocause sending of information by the depository, and the receipt of thecondition or status information by the central circuitry. Variouscombinations of such techniques and alternative arrangements forobtaining condition and status information associated with depositoriesmay be provided in exemplary arrangements.

The control circuitry of depositories in some exemplary arrangements maybe operative in accordance with circuit executable instructions tomonitor signals associated with the devices included in or connected tothe depository. This may include sensors which are operative to detecterrors or malfunctions. For example, the control circuitry may operateto detect situations where sensors such as cameras or other imagecapture devices associated with the depository are no longer operativeto send image signals or have degraded clarity so as to indicate a lossof image capture capability. Other signals may be operative to detect amalfunction of other sensors, such as switches that are operative todetermine the status of the depository door or other component monitoredby the switch. In other exemplary arrangements conditions associatedwith the lock or locks associated with the depository door may bemonitored for purposes of detecting a malfunction or possible efforts attampering. In some exemplary arrangements the circuitry may operate tomonitor the operation of the one or more sensors, such as propertysensors of the types previously discussed. Property sensors such asweight sensors, size sensors, image sensors, and other sensor types aremonitored to determine if a sensor has malfunctioned or has decreasedsensitivity. Other sensors may operate to detect abnormal conditionssuch as high or low temperatures which may indicate a problem or amalfunction. Other sensors may operate to detect smoke or otherparticulate matter which may indicate combustion or other possibleproblems. Additional sensors may be operative to detect the temperatureof the control circuitry, a power supply and/or a battery or otherelement in connection therewith, for purposes of determining a possiblemalfunction.

In other exemplary arrangements conditions associated with sensors ordevices may be monitored to determine malfunctions or other conditionsindicative of problems or a probable future problem. For example, if thedepository is located in an environment that needs to be illuminatedsuch as during evening hours, sensors may be operative to monitor forthe presence of a level of ambient lighting that operates to illuminatethe area of the depository for security reasons. The absence of asufficient level of ambient illumination may be detected as anunacceptable condition which needs to be remedied by the replacement ofbulbs or other illumination devices in the area of the depository.Further in exemplary arrangements the circuitry may be in operativeconnection with sensors that are operative to detect the power drawassociated with the operation of depository devices. For example thecontrol circuitry may be operative to detect the power draw associatedwith the electrical actuation needed for locking or unlocking the lockof the depository. The values associated with the power required forsuch activity may be stored and monitored over time so that changesindicative of a developing problem due to changes can be determined.Alternatively or in addition, conditions associated with the availablepower capabilities provided by a battery and/or solar cells may bemonitored to identify circumstances or trends which indicate that thebattery and/or solar power source has failed or is exhibiting conditionswhich correspond to probable upcoming failure. In some exemplaryarrangements such data may be stored and monitored over time. Such datamay be analyzed to determine trends which are indicative of theparticular component nearing an end-of-life condition or a probablefuture malfunction.

In other exemplary arrangements the control circuitry may operate tomonitor connectivity associated with wireless communications or othercommunication channels for purposes of verifying that the depository ismaintaining the required communications capability with the centralsystem. The inability to maintain such communications capability over aperiod of time may indicate problems associated with the controlcircuitry and/or the network in which the depository is connected.Further in exemplary arrangements the depository may include sensorswhich may sense conditions that are indicative of a criminal attack onthe depository. These may include for example conductivity integritysensors which are positioned in the walls, a bottom and/or one or moredoors of the depository and which are operative to detect holes, cuttingaction or other attempts to access the depository interior. In otherexemplary arrangements seismic sensors may be included in depositoriesfor purposes of detecting circumstances under which a depository may bemoved or may be subject to impacts for purposes of attempting to stealor breach the depository. Still in other exemplary arrangements sensorsmay be provided in or adjacent to the depository for purposes ofdetermining external conditions such as fire, smoke, heat, flood orother conditions which are problematic to the operation of thedepository unit. Of course these conditions which may be monitored andanalyzed are exemplary, and in other embodiments other conditions may bedetected and approaches may be used.

In exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with thedepository may operate to analyze signals or conditions, and sendmessages to notify the central system circuitry of the particularcondition. In some exemplary arrangements the depository controlcircuitry may be configured to operate so that detection of thecondition may be automatically notified to the central system circuitryas soon as it is detected. This may include categories of urgentconditions such as circumstances which correspond to criminal attacksthat attempt to access the interior of the depository. In othercircumstances data corresponding to other less urgent conditions may bestored as status data in one or more data stores associated with thedepository control circuitry. Such status condition information may besent individually or in combination with other status information to thecentral system circuitry when the depository is polled or otherwiserequested to submit status data. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may beoperative to include data corresponding to acceptable operatingparameters and ranges for the operation of components included indepositories. Such stored data may correspond to a model, template orother arrangement of information that provides suitable ranges fordetected readings, parameters or conditions when a depository isoperating properly. In exemplary arrangements communications between thecentral system circuitry and the control circuitry of each depositorymay be operative to determine the information from the depositorynecessary to compare the status information associated with thedepository to the stored data. The central circuitry may operate inaccordance with its programmed instructions to identify anomalies orirregularities in the data from the depository and to determine thecondition or conditions indicated by this data. Further in exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry may be operative to identify theremedial actions that are necessary in response to the data that isreceived from a depository.

In exemplary arrangements in response to determining abnormalconditions, problems, malfunctions or developing conditions at adepository, the central system circuitry may operate in accordance withits programmed circuit instructions to take programmed actions inresponse to such determinations. Such programmed actions may include forexample, sending one or more messages to other systems to indicate theneed for repair, servicing or other actions associated with theparticular depository. In other circumstances such actions may includenotifying appropriate authorities of the condition at a depository. Forexample if the detected condition includes an attempted theft, breach ofthe depository or fire condition, the central system circuitry mayoperate to notify appropriate police or fire authorities in the areawhere the depository is located. In other circumstances the centralsystem circuitry may operate in accordance with its programming tocommunicate with other systems to schedule a service call or otherremedial or preventive maintenance at the particular depository tocorrect conditions and/or to replace parts that may be reaching thepredicted end of useful life. Of course these approaches are exemplaryand in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In still other exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry maybe operative to communicate with the depository to attempt remotecorrection of problematic conditions which are detected. For example, incircumstances where the depository or device included therein may not beoperating in a proper manner, the exemplary system may operate todownload to the control circuitry of the depository, circuit executableinstructions that may correct or reduce the effect of the problem. Thismay include for example, downloading to the control circuitry of thedepository a substitute script to be executed by the control circuitryfor purposes of controlling a particular device. The central system maycause the download of instructions that cause the control circuitry ofthe depository to execute the substitute script and report the resultsto the central system. The results reported may indicate further stepsthat can be taken by the central system through detecting signals fromthe control circuitry and downloading further scripts or otherinstructions for purposes of remotely determining the problem and/ormaking corrections. In other arrangements the central system may operateto cause the control circuitry of a depository or devices connectedthereto to reboot or otherwise initialize in an attempt to addressproblems or correct anomalies. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments numerous otherapproaches may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 35 there is provided an exemplary parceltransaction monitor 3501, for a monitored-access parcel depository,which is alternatively referred to herein as a repository or a lock box.Deposit items and delivery items are alternatively referred to herein asparcels or packages. The exemplary repository (not shown), includescontrol circuitry including at least one controller 3502 withsensor/actuator arrays 3503 and 3504 respectively. The control circuitryis operable to monitor parcel transactions for at least one of parceldelivery or parcel extraction transactions in relation to saidrepository, and providing for at least one of:

-   -   An incipient transaction detection module 3505 for prospectively        detecting an incipient parcel transaction in relation to the        repository of an at least one of a possible parcel for delivery        transaction, or a possible parcel carrier intent on a repository        parcel transaction;    -   A parcel transaction characterization module 3506 for        differentially characterizing a parcel transaction; or,    -   A parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module 3507 for        sensing a change in repository parcel inventory resulting from a        repository parcel transaction.

These exemplary modules are adapted to variously employ elements andfunctions of said controller and array for the respective operationsthereof, and the elements and functions of the controller and array maybe variously shared between the modules in the execution of theirrespective operations.

An incipient transaction detection module 3505 is comprised of acontroller 3502 and sensor/actuator arrays 3504/3503 for use with acontrolled-access parcel repository which includes an at least onesensor for detecting proximity (which may involve physical contact withthe repository or something more distant) of a possible parcel fordelivery or a possible parcel carrier intent on a repository parceltransaction.

By way of example, this module may employ for this purpose, thecontroller with ones or combinations of sensors/actuators of said array,including:

-   -   Accelerometers, or similar repository movement or contact        detectors, (e.g. even something as simple as a contact        switch—such as a button or a keyboard, or the operation of a        parcel repository access door or chute);    -   Ultrasonic, photoelectric, infra-red, exogenous motion or        presence detectors; or,    -   Proximity or estimated time of arrival by radio-frequency—e.g.        by tracking a parcel or its carrier location using a GPS signal        through a smart phone or other communications device (geo        fencing, geo location etc.), or more locally by detecting an        RFID or NFC device signal, a Bluetooth device or the like.

The proximity detection module may, on detection of such proximity, andpresupposing thereby a possible parcel for delivery or a possible parcelcarrier intent on a repository parcel transaction, may be operable tofurther actuate one or both of the other modules. Accordingly thereforein aspects of exemplary arrangements the incipient transaction detectionmodule may further operate an at least one actuator for:

-   -   actuating a parcel transaction characterization module of said        controlled-access parcel repository for differentially        characterizing a parcel transaction.    -   actuating a parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module        for sensing a change in repository parcel inventory resulting        from a repository parcel transaction.

In this way the transaction detection module may power-up otherrepository modules which may have been turned off or in a hibernatingmode in the absence of a prospective parcel transaction (as a powerconservation measure, or to prepare such modules for use, in order toexpedite the impending parcel transaction).

In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement a parcel transactioncharacterization module is comprised of a controller and sensor/actuatorarray for use with a controlled-access parcel repository, and includingat least one automated sensor operable to facilitate at least one ofpackage or item carrier identification sensing of a corresponding atleast one of a possible package or possible carrier presenting at saidrepository, wherein said module differentiates sensed identificationsensor input thereof to correspondingly:

-   -   facilitate an impending pre-authorized transaction corresponding        to said identification; or,    -   call for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for an        impending transaction, and facilitate a call-responsive ad hoc        user-mediated authorization for said impending transaction; or,    -   decline (by default, in the absence of at least one of the two        above mentioned “authorizations” to actively facilitate an        otherwise unauthorized impending transaction.

Sensed identification sensor may be a controller and array associatedcamera (which may include a facial recognition facility) or scanner(e.g. bar code, or QR code or the like), a voice or other acoustic inputrecognition sensor, an RFID, Bluetooth or other parcel transactionidentifier for input into said module to differentiate between andselectively facilitate the above operations.

In the instance of an impending pre-authorized transaction correspondingto said sensed identification input, this module may employ acontroller/array associated communications module 3508 to signalspecifics of the impending transaction to, for example, the repositoriesowner/user and/or the parcel carrier or carrier service.

In calling for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for animpending transaction the parcel transaction characterization module mayactuate a communications module (which the controller includes orprovides access to), to contact a user with a request for authorizationof the impending parcel transaction—and subject to a user's authorizingresponse thereto, to facilitate the impending transaction as anauthorized one.

In an instance of an identified pre-authorized transaction, or aninstance wherein a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization isreceived in response to a call therefore, the parcel transactioncharacterization module may signal a latching actuator, as elaboratedbelow in relation to an accessibility control according to an aspect ofan exemplary arrangement.

Where the module operates otherwise than in facilitating an authorizedtransaction, it may be operable to notify a user (e.g. through saidcommunications module as aforesaid) of an unauthorized characterizationstatus of the presumed parcel transaction.

In another aspect of an exemplary arrangement there is provided aparcel-inventory and transaction-recording module, for use with acontrolled-access parcel repository including an at least one sensor forsensing a change in package inventory resulting from a repository parceltransaction.

Parcel sizes may be employed (scanned or otherwise sensed as for exampleby photo-detectors adapted to detect the presence of parcels throughinterruption of a light beam), or recorded images of the parcels may bestored for these purposes, but an exemplary operation senses parcelweights, by way of a weight (e.g. load) sensor that measures theaccumulated parcel weight secured within the interior of the repository.The load or other inventory sensor communicates with acontroller-associated memory to log changes in the sensed weight inassociation with changes in the parcel inventory. In an exemplaryarrangement, such a memory correlates parcel transaction identificationswith the particular weight change (and time for embodiments where thecontroller includes a clock facility for such a purpose) associated withthe sensed change in the repository's parcel inventory.

In an exemplary arrangement, there is provided an accessibility control,for a controlled-access parcel repository, and comprised of at least onecontroller with a sensor/actuator array operable to selectively controlaccess to said parcel repository, and comprised of at least onecontroller with a sensor/actuator array operable to facilitatecontrolled-access parcel transactions for at least one of parceldelivery or parcel extraction transactions in relation to saidrepository, and providing a parcel transaction characterization modulefor facilitating selective locking and unlocking operations of arepository lock actuator, in association with authorized parceltransactions characterized by said parcel transaction characterizationmodule. A latching mechanism may be operated by an actuator through thecontroller operation by the parcel transaction characterization module.

The accessibility control may be used in association with any controlledaccess repository, including by way of example only, a building'svestibule, a parcel through-wall passage portal, a garage door, astorage shed, a chest or lock box or other such providing restrictedaccess to an interior space serving to secure parcels reposing therein.Repositories of exemplary arrangements may, in addition to a securedaccess thereto, may also provide an unsecured access for facilitatingparcel deliveries—see for example the provision of a one-way chute inthe repository embodiment depicted in FIGS. 36 through 39, which mayprovide for delivery of parcels notwithstanding the authorization statusassociated with any given delivery. In such cases, the accessibilitycontrol may be used to selectively facilitate authorized access torestricted areas of the repository in question.

The accessibility control herein may further provide for at least one ofthe incipient transaction detection module or the parcel-inventory andtransaction-recording modules mentioned elsewhere herein.

In general, including in conjunction with modules 3505-3507,communications module 3508 may be operated through controller 3505 tocommunicate sensor-related signals to parties variously involved in aparcel transaction; and to receive authorization and to control signalsfrom such parties, to operate actuators associated with actuator array3504. Cellular, Wi-Fi, land line, internet, or other communicationschannels may be employed in this connection. Other exemplary aspects ofthe controller and array features relating to an exemplary arrangementare disclosed in relation to the embodiments of FIGS. 40 through 44described elsewhere herein.

Referring now also to FIGS. 36 through 39 there is illustrated variousviews of an example of a parcel repository related to aspects ofexemplary arrangements.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there isprovided a parcel repository comprising a free-standing parcelrepository 3601, defining an enclosure comprised, in part, by a toppanel 3602 a adapted to cooperate with the enclosure's sides, back andbottom panel assembly 3602 b, and a molded cabinet face frame 3602 c.

This repository includes a one-way delivery chute 3603, providing anaccess portal for introduction and passage of a parcel delivery intosaid repository, but further including a gate for interfering withremoval through that chute, of parcels secured within a secured storagebay portion of the repository. External portions of the chute which willbe considered a door for purposes of this disclosure, include a deliverychute front panel 3603 a, and a hinge 3603 b for facilitating openingand closing of the panel as well as operation of the chute 3603 moregenerally.

This repository further includes a selectively securable (e.g.locked/unlocked) parcel storage bay 3604 having a hinged storage baydoor hinge 3604 a and a corresponding hinge 3604 b to facilitate theopening and closing thereof. Storage bay 3604 corresponds to an interiorarea of the repository.

Hinges 3603 b and 3604 b are mounted on respective portions of frameportion of the cabinet face 3602 c.

This repository arrangement (by way of example) provides for twodelivery modalities: one facilitated through one-way delivery chute3603; and the other directly into storage bay 3604 through selectivelysecured hinged door 3604 a. However, of these two distinct deliverymodalities, only the hinged door 3604 a is adapted to facilitatewithdrawal of parcels from the storage bay 3604. This arrangementflexibly facilitates parcel deliveries to be made without necessarilyrequiring any particular pre-authorization or real-time authorization,but necessitates authorized access to storage bay 3604 in order toremove delivered parcels from the secured storage bay 3604.

Repository 3601 also provides for an inner-delivery chute front interiorpanel 3603 c for supporting parcels for delivery during parcelintroduction through delivery chute 3603 on its way into storage bay3604. Chute 3603 is opened for a delivery transaction, by drawing arecessed handle 3603 i forward and downwardly, rotating front panel 3603a and attached front interior panel 3603 c outwardly together, aroundhinge 3603 b. Pivot anchors 3603 f (secured to front interior panel 3603c), in turn draw outwardly and downwardly through pivot pins 3603 k,pulling tray 3603 h to rotate by the pivot pins 3603 k which areconnected to connecting arms 3603 e to anchor 3603 j on the tray. Tray3603 h rotates in response to this action, around tray pivots 3603 gthat connect tray 3603 h to enclosure side and back and bottom panelassembly 3602 b—and into a position that provides a generally coplanardelivery chute surface alignment with front interior panel 3603 c. Thatco-planar alignment facilitates the transfer of a parcel from the panel3603 c onto the receiving surface 3603 d of tray 3603 h.

With a parcel positioned on the receiving surface 3603 d of tray 3603 h,the return of front panel 3603 a towards its upright and ultimatelyre-closed position, rotates tray 3603 h from the coplanar alignmentmentioned above, into an inclined orientation, which induces the parcelto slide along and ultimately off of supporting tray 3603 h, to releasethe parcel into the repository's interior area, where delivered parcelsaccumulate in storage bay 3604, in supported relation on parcelrepository bay floor 3608.

In the illustrated embodiment, parcel delivery transactions made throughthe chute are not restricted by the operation of the accessibilitycontrol.

Parcel bay floor 3608 is connected with a load sensor 3607, which isoperable to sense increases/decreases in the accumulated weight ofdelivered parcels stored within storage bay 3604 on bay floor 3608, asparcels are added by delivery transactions, or removed during pickuptransactions to and from repository 3601.

Controller 3609 is connected to an array of sensors and actuators,including latch actuator 3604 c an acoustic transducer 3610, an on-boardcamera/scanner (not shown), and load sensor 3607. Controller 3609 alsoincludes a power management connection for selectively powering therepository operations using a utility line voltage source (not shown) orbattery power from battery 3606, or other power sources (not shown, butincluding by way of example, solar panels) The exemplary controller 3609is also in operative connection with a wireless antenna 3605 to providewireless communications.

The on-board camera provides for video and/or still pictures, as well asfor bar-code/QR-code scan sensing. The acoustic transducer 3610 providesfor audio signaling, and optionally for audio pick-up (sound sensing).Load sensor 3607 senses weight changes reflecting changes in parcelinventory secured within repository 3601 interior area—and may furtherassociate weight changes with particular parcel transactions. Latchactuator 3604 c facilitates locking and unlocking operations of door3604 a to provide selective access to storage bay 3604.

Referring now to FIGS. 40 through 44, there are illustrated examples ofaspects of exemplary arrangements relating to a delivery lock box (i.e.repository) controller (or controller module) for operating a deliverylock box, and comprises a controller operable for controlling lock boxperipherals of arrays thereof to provide discrete modularfunctionalities variously related to unattended-delivery lock boxconvenience as well as operational and forensic security, but moreparticularly to providing combinations of modular functions variouslycooperating for providing augmented, and in some embodiments, real-timeremote user interface access for such operational/forensic security. Inaccordance with an exemplary arrangement there is provided discretemodular functionalities variously related to unattended-delivery lockbox convenience as well as operational and forensic security, as well asproviding combinations of modular functions cooperating variously forproviding augmented, and in some embodiments, real-time remote userinterface access for such operational/forensic security. Moreparticularly, exemplary arrangements include a (e.g. package) deliverylock box controller module for operating a delivery lock box having acontroller operable for controlling lock box peripherals including oneor more of: a lock box communications module; a camera and imagerecording module; a proximity detection sensor module; a lock boxmotion/shock detection sensor module; and/or a remote lock actuatormodule.

The lock box communications module is adapted to facilitate RF (radiofrequency) communication of lock box peripherals data to a lock boxuser, and may additionally variously facilitate lock box peripheralcontrol by the user.

The camera and image recording module is adapted to be selectivelyoperable for pre-determinedly capturing and recording at least one imageof at least a portion of the lock boxes surroundings. In an aspect ofthe present arrangement, the camera may also serve a scanner/readerfunction.

The proximity detection sensor module may serve in the detection of atriggering presence within a range proximal to the lock box andsignaling (buzzer or other acoustical device, or RF e.g. through thelock box communications module) a proximity notification of suchpresence.

The lock box motion/shock detection sensor module, operable fordetecting a triggering lock box motion or shock and signaling (buzzer orother acoustic or illumination device, or RF signaling e.g. through thelock box communications module) a motion/shock detection notification.

The remote lock actuator module operable by an authorized remote user tooperate the lock actuator module's lock actuator.

A controller module in the context of exemplary arrangements can be, forexample, a chip, an expansion card, or a stand-alone device thatinterfaces with one or more peripheral devices. Preferably, thecontroller module comprises a single board implementation comprising acentral processing unit (processor) that processes data, memory thatholds the programs and data to be processed (although memory mayalternatively be located off-board), and I/O (input/output) devices asinterfaces that communicate with diverse peripheral devices.

FIG. 40 schematically depicts an embodiment of a control module 4001according to an exemplary arrangement, comprising a printed circuitboard 4002, a processor 4003, a memory 4004, an I/O processor interface4005, and on-board I/O devices 4006 and I/O pin socket 4007 forconnection to off-board I/O devices (not shown).

In accordance with the exemplary arrangement, computer buses of one formor another facilitate data transactions between the processor, memoryand these peripherals.

Referring now to FIG. 41, a block schematic representation is providedto illustrate a generalized relationship between processor 4003, memory4004, and a plurality of interface devices 4005 a, 4005 b and 4005 cassociated with respective peripherals 4007 a, 4007 b and 4007 c. Memorybus 4008, address bus 4009 and control bus 4010 are also illustrated inan intermediary relationship with the processor 4003, the interfacedevices 4005 a-c.

The control bus is used by the processor for communicating with otherdevices, while the address bus carries the information about the devicewith which the processor is communicating and the data bus carries theactual data being processed, and the control bus carries commands fromthe processor and returns status signals from the devices. Where anaddress bus is used to specify a physical address—such that when aprocessor or direct memory access (DMA) enabled device needs to read orwrite to a memory location, the address bus specifies that memorylocation on the address bus, but the data value to be read or written toor from that address, is sent on the data bus. The memory bus typicallyconnects the main memory to the memory controller and are often designedto connect directly to DRAM chips.

Referring now to FIG. 42 there is depicted a function block diagramdepicting processor 4003 interactions with interface 4005, through thedata bus 4008, the address bus 4009, and in the case of the control bus4010 as I/O read and I/O write transactions 4010 a and 4010 b. Interface4005 in turn, transacts with I/O devices such as devices 4006 orperipherals 4007 a-c, through an I/O bus 4011 including data validationand acceptance transactions 4012 and 4013.

Referring now to FIG. 43, an exemplary embodiment of the controllermodule is illustrated.

A main controller board 4002 a, includes a general purpose I/O pinsocket 4007, servicing: door lock/position sensors 4007 d, for lock anddoor position sensors associated with a delivery lock box lockerdoor(s); internal lighting control 4007 e; external proximity sensor(s)4007 f; and, a motion detector (accelerometer) 4007 g.

Controller board 4002 a further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation)output 4014 for controlling analog circuits with a microprocessor'sdigital outputs—in this instance, a transaction interaction buzzer 4007h and a theft alarm 4007 i.

Also provided on controller board 4002 a, is a DSPI serial interfaceconnection 4015 which is a fully configurable SPI master/slave device,facilitating the microcontroller's communication with serial peripheraldevices—in this case an SD memory card 4019.

Controller board 4002 a also provides for a universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART) to serial peripheral interface (SPI)interface connection 4016, which is used for communication between SPIslave devices (from a processor) and a UART port—in this instanceproviding for a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radio peripheral 4020.

MIPI/USB interface connector 4017 enables USB connectivity to any imagesensor which is compliant with Mobile Industry Processor Interface(MIPI) Camera Serial Interface standard—connected in this case tocamera/jpeg encoder 4021.

Controller board 4002 a also supports an i.MX6 processor 4018. Processor4018 facilitates high-performance scalable multimedia processing, andincludes integrated power management based on an ARM Cortex-A9 processorsupporting HD 1080p encode and decode operation and having integratedI/O for MIPI CSI-2 camera, Gigabit Ethernet, multiple USB and PCI I/O.Power management is facilitated in conjunction with processor 4018, byway of power controller 4022, to control a hybrid power system based onsolar cells 4023 and lithium batteries 4024.

Referring now to FIG. 44, an alternative embodiment depicting acontroller board housing 4051, housing a controller board 4051 a.Controller board 4051 a can be designed to support a generic applicationprocessor, however, processor 4052 in this depicted embodiment is aPICO-IMX6 including an ARM Cortex-A9 NXP i.MX6, Small Footprint,System-on-Module (SoM) having WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth v. 4.1communication interfaces providing a compact form factor optimized forfree-standing applications with IoT connectedness. Alternativeembodiments may employ other processors, such as ARM core processors, orARM Cortex processors, such as for example, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 ewhich is an ARM Cortex A53 processor.

Processor 4052 provides I²C bus connections 4053, 4054 and 4055. The I²Cbus is a serial, half-duplex—I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit),synchronous, multi-master, multi-slave, packet switched, single-ended,serial computer bus for attaching lower-speed peripheral ICs toprocessors and microcontrollers in short-distance, intra-boardcommunications.

Connection 4053 is connected to GPIO expanders 4053 a which are TCA5416AI/O expanders for the two-line bidirectional (I²C) bus and are designedto provide general-purpose remote I/O expansion through the I²Cinterface. Expanders 4053 a are in turn connected to a blue tooth wifipairing button 4043 b; an FET switch 4053 c which is adapted to beconnected through enclosure 4051 to a connector 4051 b and correspondingdelivery lock box connector 4051 c, to delivery lock box external LEDlights 4053 e; an FET switch 4053 d which is adapted to be connectedthrough connectors 4051 b and 4051 c, to delivery lock box door locksactuators 4053 f; and through connectors 4051 b and 40451 c to deliverylock box open door sensors (door “open” contact) 4053 g. Connector 4053h connects to delivery lock box internal LED lighting, and isco-operable with sensors 4053 g.

Connection 4054 supports both an accelerometer 4054 a and a motiondetection module 4054 b.

Accelerometer 4054 a is provided by an LSM303 breakout board whichcombines a magnetometer/compass module with a triple-axis accelerometerin a compact navigation subsystem, and its two pin I²C interface can beshared by other I²C devices, in this case including module 4054 b.

Motion detection module 4054 b provides a motion sensor connection usingan LTC2451 16-bit, analog-to-digital converter which also communicatesthrough the I²C interface 4054. It includes an integrated oscillatorthat does not require any external components and employs a delta-sigmamodulator as a converter core and provides single-cycle settling timefor multiplexed applications. The LTC2451 includes input sampling schemethat reduces the average input sampling current several orders ofmagnitude lower than conventional ΔΣ converters. The LTC2451 is capableof up to 60 conversions per second and, due to the very largeoversampling ratio, has extremely relaxed antialiasing requirements. Itconnects through pin connector 4054 c to motion sensor 4054 d.

Connection 4055 connects processor 4052 to a separate, delivery lock boxfuel gauge circuit board 4055 a carrying an LTC2943 module whichmeasures battery charge state, battery voltage, battery current forbattery bank 4055 b, as well as its own temperature in standaloneapplications. A precision coulomb counter integrates current through asensing resistor between the battery's positive terminal and the load orcharger. Voltage, current and temperature are measured with an internal14-bit No Latency ΔΣ™ ADC and the measurements are stored in internalregisters accessible via the onboard I²C/SMBus Interface. The LTC2943 isprogrammable for setting high and low thresholds for all four measuredquantities. If a programmed threshold is exceeded, the devicecommunicates an alert by setting a flag in the internal status register.The LTC2943 requires only a single low value sensing resistor to set themeasured current range.

Processor 4052 further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation) output4056 for controlling analog circuits with a microprocessor's digitaloutputs—in this instance, a buzzer speaker or other audio transducer4056 a. An SD card connector 4057 and a Wi-Fi Bluetooth connector 4058are also provided. Bluetooth connector 4058 is connected to an activeantenna power module 4058 a. Connector 4058 b provides for theconnection of a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna.

The SD card connector 4057 is interconnected with an SD card slot 4057a, mounted on controller board 4051 a. An SD card (Secure Digital Card),not shown, is inserted into slot 4057 a to provide reliable data storagein a small form factor for, inter alia, digital camera images, etc. SDcards contain an internal controller interface that handles all internalflash memory operations and data transfer between the processor 4052 andthe card is done in 512 byte block, clock serial mode—using a selectedone of two bus protocols defined for SD cards, (the default native SDmode or a slower SPI mode).

Processor 4052 also provides for a UART connection 4059, communicatingwith a Debug TTL UART 4059 a.

GPIO connection 4060 on processor 4052, supports an LT3651 automaticlithium ion battery charger circuit 4060 a which functions as a solarcharge controller (in conjunction with power supply module 4060 b),charge regulator and battery regulator to limit the rate at whichelectric current is added to or drawn from battery bank 4055 b electricbatteries. Circuit 4060 a prevents overcharging and may protect againstovervoltage, which can reduce battery performance or lifespan, and maypose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining (“deepdischarging”) a battery, or perform controlled discharges, depending onthe battery technology, to protect battery life. Connector 4060 cprovides for the connection of solar panels or external DC powersupplies.

Processor 4052 provides a camera Serial Interface (CSI) 4061 conformingto MIPI Alliance specifications that provide for an interface between acamera and host processor 4052. Interface 4061 connects to a MIPIconnection 4061 a which in turn is connected to an OV5645 highperformance, 5-megapixel system-on-chip (SOC) 4061 b. This sensor'ssingle MIPI port replaces both a bandwidth-limited DVP interface and acostly embedded JPEG compressor, with attendant savings on siliconfootprint and cost.

USB host connector 4062 connects to a USB to SATA bridge 4062 a. Bridge4062 a is a TUSB9261 ARM® Cortex® M3 microcontroller based USB 3.0 toserial ATA bridge. It provides the necessary hardware and firmware toimplement a USB attached SCSI protocol (UASP)-compliant mass storagedevice suitable for bridging hard disk drives (HDD), solid state diskdrives (SSD), optical drives, and other compatible SATA 1.5-Gbps or SATA3.0-Gbps devices to a USB 3.0 bus. Bridge 4062 a connects in turn toSATA/PWR connector 4062 b.

Serial Peripheral Interface bus (SPI) is a synchronous serialcommunication interface 4063 a for connecting to an analog to digitalconverter 4063 a. Converter 4063 a is an ADS1148 device providing 16-bitanalog-to-digital converter that includes many integrated features toreduce system cost and component count for sensor measurementapplications—including a low-noise, programmable gain amplifier (PGA), aprecision delta-sigma (ΔΣ) ADC with a single-cycle settling digitalfilter, and an internal oscillator and a built-in, low-drift voltagereference, and two matched programmable excitation current sources(IDACs).

GPIO interface 4064 connects though FET switches 4064 a to control LEDlights connected through connectors 4053 e and 4053 h.

Referring now to the drawings in general: One aspect of an exemplaryarrangement provides for a delivery lock box controller module, housedfor example in a housing 4051, and adapted for operating a delivery lockbox (not shown). This aspect of the exemplary arrangement comprises acontroller (such as controller board 4051 a and processor 4052), that isoperable for controlling lock box peripherals. In particular, the moduleaccording to this aspect of the exemplary arrangement provides for aremote lock actuator module that is operable by an authorized remoteuser. The remote lock actuator module comprises processor 4052 and FCbus connection 4053, GPIO expanders 4053 a, FET switch 4053 d andenclosure connector 4051 b. With enclosure connector 4051 b engaged withdelivery lock box connector 4051 c, processor 4052 may be instructed byan authorized user, to operate lock box door lock actuators 4053 f to inturn permit access to the lock box interior and thereby facilitateintroduction or removal of lock box contents. Preferably, the operationof the lock box door lock actuators 4053 f is attended by the operationof lock box external LED lights 4053 e by processor 4052 acting acrossthe connection of connectors 4051 b and 4051 c, and by way of FET switch4053 c, GPIO expanders 4053 a and FC bus connection 4053 of processor4052. This arrangement can draw a delivery agent's attention to the lockbox and aid in the delivery agent's completion of the user-authorizedlock box transaction. This can be important since it is often desirablefor the lock box installation to be discretely placed, and/or to have itfit unobtrusively into the local decor. Note too, however, that externalLED lights 4053 e can be operated by processor 4052 independently of theoperation of door lock actuators 4053 f. This facility for independentoperation of external LED lights 4053 e permits them to be used simplyas a local source of augmented lighting; or as a flashing light sourcein the case of an emergency or security threat without occasioning theconcurrent release of the locks. Moreover lock box internal LEDoperation through connector 4053 h is also independent of the operationof external LED lights 4053 e, and operate instead in cooperation withopen door sensor 4053 g with its connections through connectors 4051 band 4051 c, GPIO expanders 4053 a, I²C bus connections 4053 to processor4052. This represents a power saving in circumstances where illuminationof the lock box interior is not required and is an importantconsideration for lock box installations that function without recourseto the electrical grid.

The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051 a andprocessor 4052 may make provision for a camera and image recordingmodule—as for example by way of camera 40461 b, MIPI interface 4061 a,and camera serial interface 4061. This arrangement is preferablyselectively operable to (optionally pre-determinedly) capture and recordat least one image of at least a portion of said lock boxessurroundings. The recording may be captured using an off-board storagedrive, using USB host connector 4062, USB to SATA bridge 4062 a, and USBhost connector 4062 b, under the direction of processor 4052.Alternatively, the recording may be captured on an SD card (not shown)using SD card connector 4057 and SSD card slot 4057 a. An authorizeduser may trigger processor 4052 to activate the camera or the camera andthe recorder to selectively capture images. In one embodiment processor4052 operates camera 4061 b more or less continuously, and recordscaptured images on a memory device as mentioned above, but in a shortterm first-in-first out over-writing buffer file. Subject then to theoccurrence of a pre-determined triggering event, the buffer file istransferred to an archive file, preserving images recorded in advance ofthe triggering event and appending recordings of images subsequentlycaptured and recorded to the archive file, for a predetermined time orcondition. Thereafter, the camera 4061 b reverts to said more or lesscontinuous operation and recording later images into the over-writebuffer as aforesaid.

The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051 a andprocessor 4052 may also make provision for a proximity detection sensormodule comprising motion sensor 4054 d, pin connector 4054 c, motiondetection module 4054 b and I²C bus connection 4054 for detecting atriggering presence within a range proximal to the lock box, andsignaling (e.g. by but not limited to a buzzer or other acousticaldevice, or flashing external LEDs as mentioned above), a proximitynotification of such presence. This signaling may aid in directinglegitimate approaches to the lock box, or deter illegitimate interest insame, and in either case, place the authorized user on alert to themotion in proximity to the lock box.

Similarly, the lock box controller module comprising controller board4051 a and processor 4052 may also make provision, through accelerometer4054 a and I²C bus connection 4054, for a lock box motion/shockdetection sensor module, operable for detecting a triggering lock boxmotion or shock and signaling (again, for example, via buzzer or otheracoustic or illumination device) a motion/shock detection notificationto the user. Preferably, this notification is of a loud and insistentcharacter that will assertively deter any attendant theft attempt orvandalism.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller board 4051 a and processor4052 provide for a lock box communications module, in this case by wayof a System-on-Module (SoM) having built in Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetoothv. 4.1 radios and communication interfaces providing a compact formfactor optimized for free-standing applications with local RF networksas well as providing for IoT (internet of things) connectedness.Processor 4052 is thereby adapted to facilitate RF communication of lockbox peripherals data to a lock box user—using in this particular case,SPI connector 4063, A/D converter 4063 a as well as Bluetooth connector4058 and active antenna power module 4058 a with its connections throughconnectors 4051 b and 4051 c to antenna 4058 b. In operation, controlmodule 4001 with a communications module (e.g. associated with processor4052 as per the above) comprises a lock box Bluetooth/Wi-Ficommunications module which provides for Bluetooth-mediatedconfiguration of Wi-Fi network connections between the lock boxcommunications module and an available (e.g. local) user-selected Wi-Finetwork. More particularly, the Bluetooth facility may be operable tolink with a user phone and in turn enable a user phone toconnect/configure the lockbox to a user selected local Wi-Fi network.

Controller module 4001 may also be operable such that a “proximitynotification” includes remotely communicating a “detected presence” to auser's communication device (or some other user proxy), through thecommunications module. (Note that in general, communications to the userdevice are typically mediated via Wi-Fi or other local RF networks aswell as through cellular, internet, landlines, microwave and all thevarious modems/gateways or the like that may be variously associatedwith those networks). In an exemplary embodiment, for example, thecontrol module 4001 further comprises a cellular data modem (not shown)operable to provide an alternative user notification to a user in theevent that WIFI functionality is not used or not available for thispurpose.

Similarly, controller module 4001 may be operable to convey motion/shockdetection notifications by remotely communicating a detectedmotion/shock notification to a user's communication device,substantially as described in the preceding paragraph.

The operation of the exemplary camera and image recording module isselectively predetermined to provide continuous operation and recordingand this is facilitated by one or both of an on-board recording storageor to Wi-Fi connected storage. (Either or both such storage facilitiescan be FIFO (first-in-first out) over write in order to facilitatecurrency of recordings in the absence of unlimited storage capacity).Controller module 4001 may also be employed such that the camera andimage recording module is additionally or alternatively selectivelypredetermined to be intermittently operated—subject, for example, to adetected-event-triggered operation. In one exemplary arrangement forexample, controller module 4001 may be operable such that a proximitynotification comprises triggering the camera and image recording moduleto record and/or communicate to a user's communication device (or userproxy), that at least one image associated with the proximitynotification. Similarly, the control module 4001 may be operated suchthat the motion/shock detection notification comprises triggering saidcamera and image recording module to record and/or communicate to auser's communication device (or user proxy), of an at least one imageassociated with the motion/shock detection. In an exemplary arrangement,the intermittent operation of the camera and image recording module iscoextensive with ongoing detection of a detected trigger event.

In exemplary embodiments where the control module 4001 operates imagestorage as a first-in-first out overwrite storage buffer, the camera andimage recording module is further operable in response to a detectedtrigger event, to save the associated at least one image from thefirst-in-first out overwrite storage buffer to a long term storagearchival location, and preferably so that when a detected trigger eventso operates the camera and image recording module, that module savesassociated images from the buffer, beginning from a predetermined timepreceding detection of the detected event. Moreover, in an exemplaryarrangement when a detected trigger event so operates the camera andimage recording module, it is operated so as to save associated imagesfor a predetermined time following termination of detection of thedetected event.

In the depicted exemplary embodiment control module 4001 is furtheroperable to manage a hybrid power source power supply module 4060 bprovided from a primary power source selected from at least one of asolar power source and a line power source; and, a secondary batterypower reserve source (battery bank supply 4055 b), with the hybrid powersource being operable to variously power the delivery lock boxoperations, and employs delivery box fuel gauge circuit board 4055 a inthat connection. The control module 4001 also operates power supplymodule 4060 b, using battery charger circuit 4060 a to charge thesecondary (battery bank 4055 b) source from the primary source(s).

The control module 4001 may further comprise a cellular data modem toprovide an alternative user notification to a user, (collateral withWi-Fi functions, or as an alternative if Wi-Fi is not available).

In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there is also provided a weighscale peripheral connection 4066. The connection to processor 4052 canbe variously facilitated—e.g. through a general input output interface.The weigh scale peripheral may be used to signal the arrival/presence ofa package within a repository enclosure—and also in conjunction with theparcel inventory module, to track arrival and withdrawal of one or moreparcels from the parcel inventory secured within the repository.

FIGS. 45-48 show an alternative arrangement of a delivery itemrepository 670. Repository 670 is configured to be utilized in a systemwhich includes a plurality of repositories of the same or similarconfiguration, such as one of the repository configurations previouslydiscussed herein. The exemplary system is usable to transport deliveryitems which are also referred to as parcels, from a respectiveoriginating repository to a respective destination repository so as toachieve transport of the parcel from one geographic location to another.Exemplary arrangements may facilitate small-scale parcel deliveryoperations in which item carriers exchange parcels through controlledtransfers which occur through intermediate destination repositoriesunder the control of one or more servers or other central systemcircuitry in a manner like that previously discussed.

The exemplary systems facilitate the use of crowd sourced item carrierparticipation. Such item carriers may operate to transport parcelsbetween originating repositories and destination repositories. In otherexemplary arrangements item carriers may further operate to carry outpickup and delivery activities at points of parcel shipment originationor endpoints of parcel transport that do not include repositories.Exemplary arrangements may provide for a parcel delivery system which isconfigured to transport parcels that are provided from and delivered todiverse locations and at different times by a plurality of differentshipper and recipient system user types.

In exemplary arrangements the system may include a plurality ofgeographically dispersed repositories such as repository 670. Repository670 includes a body having a plurality of separated compartment interiorareas each of which bound a respective enclosed compartment space(alternatively referred to herein as a compartment) that is suitable forholding one or more parcels. Each of the compartment interior areas hasa respective opening that is selectively accessible by authorized userswho are enabled to unlock compartment associated locks and open closuremembers such as respective doors that are movable to provide access torespective compartment interior areas. Each respective repository may beoperated as an originating repository as well as an intermediate orfinal destination repository. Thus the exemplary system provides for afully connected physical topography of repositories.

In exemplary arrangements each of the plurality of repositories is inoperative connection with central system circuitry like that previouslydiscussed which is alternatively referred to herein as controlcircuitry. The exemplary central system circuitry operates as a controlgrid to manage item carrier authorizations and assignments. The centralsystem circuitry also performs monitoring of the pickups of parcels fromoriginating repositories and the delivery of parcels into thedestination repositories. Further in exemplary arrangements themonitoring functions of the central system circuitry may operate toassure that parcel items are delivered in accordance with requiredschedules and/or other handling requirements that may be associated withparticular parcels.

Further in exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry whichcontrols the acceptance, transport and delivery of parcels, providesuseful aspects compared to other parcel distribution methods. This isachieved in some arrangements due to the handling, transport and sortingof a relatively small number of parcels by each authorized shipping userand item carrier user of the system. For example in exemplaryarrangements, each item carrier will generally be involved in handlingless than 10 parcels simultaneously at any given time.

The use of crowd sourced item carriers receiving parcels fromoriginating depositories and transporting parcels through intermediatedestination repositories, facilitates the transport and delivery ofparcels. As item carriers act to provide parcel transport generally incoordination with their other activities such as commuting or othertravel, the ability to move parcels to a final destination repository isfacilitated even though item carriers may only be willing to carryparcels a portion of the overall parcel transport path. Further theexemplary arrangements provide for item carrier compensation fortransport of parcels, which compensation may be readily obtained by theitem carrier in connection with their normal commuting or travelactivities

The exemplary parcel repository 670 shown in FIGS. 45-48 is configuredto operate as a free standing device and perform the functionsassociated with an originating depository and a destination repositoryconcurrently for a plurality of parcels. The exemplary repository 670includes a body which is alternatively referred to herein as a housing672. The housing is supported on a base 674. The base 74 includes aforward extending portion 676. The forward extending portion of theexemplary arrangement includes a front to rearward upwardly sloped face678.

The exemplary repository housing 672 further includes a top or cap 680.The exemplary top includes a roof panel 682. Roof panel 682 is slopeddownward from front to rear of the housing 672. The top 680 furtherincludes a forward extending cornice 684. Cornice 684 extends forwardbeyond the front of the central position of the housing 672. Cornice 684has a sloped face 686 that is sloped toward the rear of the housingfurther downward along the face 686.

The exemplary face 686 includes a recess 688. Recess 688 includes a lens690. The exemplary lens 690 is translucent to enable illumination of thefront of the housing by one or more lamps that are positioned within thehousing. The cornice 684 further includes a port or opening 692 therein.An electronics housing 694 extends in the opening 692. The electronicshousing 694 is configured to hold control circuitry 696 which may be ofthe type previously discussed, as well as at least one sensor or inputdevice 698 such as a camera or scanner and a wireless portal.

The exemplary housing 672 includes a pair of side panels 700, 702 and aback panel 704. Panels 700, 702 and 704 bound a partitioned housinginterior that includes a plurality of separated interior areas. Lockerdoors 706, 708, 710, 712 714, 716, 718, 720, 722 and 724 are eachmovably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing 762through respective hinges 726. Each of the locker doors selectivelycontrols access to a respective interior area within the housing 672. Inthe exemplary arrangement each of the doors is changeable between alocked condition and an unlocked condition responsive to a respectiveelectrically actuated lock in a manner similar to that used in thepreviously described repository arrangements.

The exemplary repository 670 is in operative connection with controlcircuitry which may function in a manner similar to that described inconnection with repository 10. In addition repository 670 may includesuitable power sources, sensors, input and output devices cameras,microphones and wireless portals that operate in ways like thosediscussed in connection with the previously described repositories. Insome exemplary arrangements the repository 670 may operate responsiveentirely to wireless communication with remote central system circuitryand local portable wireless devices. For example user identifyinginformation, access codes and other data that is required to becommunicated to the control circuitry of repository 670 may be receivedvia a wireless portal, rather than keypads, touchscreens or other typesof manually actuatable input devices. Further in exemplary arrangementsmay provide outputs wirelessly that can be perceived by system usersadjacent to the repository through their portable wireless devices. Inthis manner the exemplary repository avoids having externally accessiblecomponents that may be subject to vandalism or tampering. Of course itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

It should be understood that the number of separate enclosed compartmentspaces within repository 760 is exemplary, and other repositories mayhave different numbers of separately accessible interior areas. Theexemplary repository 670 also includes a pair of smaller sized interiorareas corresponding to doors 720, 722 compared to the other interiorareas, and a single large interior area corresponding to door 714. Otherparcel repositories used in connection with exemplary systems may havedifferent numbers and sizes of compartments and compartment spaces so asto accommodate the sizes of parcels being handled through operation ofthe repository. Other exemplary repositories may be comprised ofseparate housings that are positioned in adjacent relation so as toprovide larger numbers of compartments with interior areas for theacceptance and release of parcels. Such multiple repositories may becontrolled responsive to common control circuitry and a single userinterface, or may be separately controlled and operable independent ofan adjacent repository. Further, the exemplary repository is configuredto be positioned in a location that is readily accessible to groundtransportation routes. Such configuration facilitates access to therepository by shipper users, item carriers and parcel recipients.

FIG. 49 shows a system 728 of an exemplary arrangement and the flow ofparcels which may occur between repositories in such a system. Theexemplary system includes repository 670 as well as a plurality of otherrepositories schematically indicated 730, 732, 734, 736, and 738. In theexemplary arrangement the repositories included in the system may besimilar to repository 760 or the other repositories described herein. Inalternative arrangements other repository configurations may be used. Itshould be understood that the exemplary system further includes centralsystem circuitry which may be similar to the central system circuitrypreviously discussed.

As represented by arrows T, parcels may be moved between repositories inthe system by item carriers. As represented in FIG. 49 parcels that areinput to the exemplary system at repository 670 that are required to bedelivered at remote final destination repository 734 may be transportedin numerous different ways depending on the available item carriers. Forexample, in some situations a parcel may be transported by an itemcarrier directly from the originating repository 670 to the finaldestination repository 734, as represented by Arrow 740. Such a directtransport from the originating repository to the final destinationrepository may be the result of the fortuitous availability of an itemcarrier who is available to make such direct transport. Alternativelysuch a direct route for the parcel may be the result of the shippinguser paying an incentive fee for prompt delivery or other circumstances.

In alternative circumstances a parcel that is received in originatingrepository 670 that is determined by the central system circuitry asrequired to move to repository 734 as the final destination repository,may be moved by item carriers to one or more intermediate destinationrepositories before reaching the final destination repository. Forexample a parcel may be moved from the originating repository 670 tointermediate destination repository 730 by an initial item carrier asrepresented by Arrow 742. The parcel may then be moved from repository730 to interim destination repository 732 by another item carrier asrepresented by Arrow 744. Finally the parcel may be moved fromrepository 732 to the final destination repository 734 by another itemcarrier as represented by Arrow 746. Of course as can be appreciatedfrom the other arrows shown in FIG. 49, the parcel may take a moredirect path to the final destination repository 734 as a result of theavailability of other item carriers that can transport the parcel alongthe more direct path.

As can be appreciated, the exemplary system 728 may also be operatedresponsive to the central system circuitry to achieve parcel deliveriesto a final destination repository in a more rapid manner than mightotherwise occur based on the availability of item carriers. For examplethe programming associated with the central system circuitry may providefor the consolidation of multiple parcel transport jobs that can beoffered to a single item carrier as an incentive to complete the parceltransports more quickly. For example the exemplary central systemcircuitry may operate to accommodate transport of a collection or bundleof parcels to an intermediate destination repository that may not be onthe most direct path to a final system repository for some of theparcels. However, by moving the parcels to an interim destinationrepository that is closer to the final destination repository morequickly via transport consolidation, the system may achieve delivery atthe final destination repository more quickly than might otherwiseoccur. Further the central system circuitry may take advantage of itemcarriers who have extended time or delivery location availabilitycompared to other item carriers to achieve movement of more parcels tointerim destination repository locations, from which delivery at thefinal destination repositories may be more rapidly achieved. As can beappreciated these results may be based on the central system circuitryevaluating factors such as available item carriers and carrier locationsduring different dates and times, as well as other factors that areusable to predict and optimize parcel transport.

Of course as can be appreciated, from a shipper user perspective, theoperation of the exemplary system 728 achieves the delivery of deliveryitems such as parcels from an initial originating location such as afirst repository to a final location such as a destination repository.As a result, conceptually the shipment may be considered to have auniversal origin as represented schematically as 748, and a universaldestination as represented schematically as 750. Although a given parcelmay be transported under the control of the central system circuitrythrough numerous different intermediate parcel repositories by differentitem carriers, such system activity does not involve the shipper user orthe delivery item parcel recipient.

Of course it should be understood that exemplary systems may beimplemented in various network topographies such as a peer to peernetwork communications environment between devices included in thesystem. Alternatively, the network topography may include a centralizeddedicated network adapted to cooperatively link the various systemcomponents. Of course other arrangements may include combinations ofdifferent system and network topographies to achieve communicationsbetween the different system components.

As can be appreciated from the prior discussion in connection withrepository 10, the exemplary system 728 may provide for communicationthrough central system circuitry with numerous different types ofauthorized and/or registered system users who carry out different rolesin connection with the system. For example in exemplary arrangementsnetwork communication may be provided with the wireless carrier contactdevices of item carriers to determine transport availability and toprovide transport assignments. Further in exemplary arrangements suchcarrier contact devices may be utilized for purposes of tracking parcelsin transport via GPS or other location monitoring systems. In additioncamera or other reader equipped carrier contact devices may be utilizedfor purposes of scanning machine-readable indicia on parcels,determining size information of parcels or carrying out other actions.Similarly such wireless devices may include wireless portals whichenable communication wirelessly with repositories so as to communicateinformation necessary to access selected interior areas for purposes ofreceiving or depositing parcels.

Further as can be appreciated, in exemplary arrangements the networkcommunications between the repositories and the central system circuitrymay be operative to communicate status and operational information ofthe types previously discussed. Such information may facilitate thequick repair of any repository malfunctions and the avoidance of futuremalfunctions for which symptoms can be detected in advance. Similarlysuch communications may achieve capturing and retaining documentationregarding parcel receipt, transport and delivery such as by the captureof sensor data and other data associated therewith. This may include forexample the capture and retention of image data and other data that isusable to document and verify activities related to various parcels. Ofcourse these functions and capabilities are exemplary and in otherarrangements different or alternative approaches may be used.

FIG. 50 schematically represents components utilized in connection withan exemplary system such as system 728. In the exemplary arrangement thecentral system circuitry 752 comprises at least one processor 754 inoperative connection with at least one data store 756. As previouslydiscussed, although in this exemplary arrangement the central systemcircuitry may be represented as a central server or other computerdevice, in other exemplary arrangements distributed processing andcontrol of the system may be provided in a cloud environment or in avirtual environment within one or more shared platforms.

The exemplary central system circuitry 752 is in operative connectionwith one or more interfaces schematically indicated 758. The interfaces758 provide communications connectivity to other system components whichcommunicate in the system. One or more communication interfaces 760 areprovided to enable communication of the central system circuitry 752 inthe different wired and/or wireless networks to which the componentsincluded in the system are connected. Of course it should be understoodthat in various embodiments numerous different types of communicationsinterfaces may be used.

The plurality of parcel repositories are in operative connection withthe system through the network and send communications through aninterface 760. Such repositories are represented schematically by arepository 762. Repository 762 may include components similar torepository 10 or repository 760 or the other repositories that have beenpreviously discussed. As schematically shown, each repository includes aplurality of connected components as represented schematically bysensors 764 and actuators 766.

The exemplary system further includes carrier contact devices which areutilized by item carriers in a manner like that previously discussed.Such wireless carrier contact devices such as smart phones arerepresented by device 768. Such carrier contact devices include controlcircuitry therein. The control circuitry may include for example ascanner and/or code reader circuitry 770. The exemplary carrier contactdevice may also include a tracking application such as a GPS circuitry772. Interface circuitry 774 suitable for communicating with the centralsystem circuitry 752 may also be included in the exemplary item carriercontact device. Of course it should be understood that these devicecomponents are exemplary and in other arrangements other or additionalcomponents may be used.

As schematically indicated, in the exemplary system devices operated byshipper users as schematically represented 776, may also be in operativeconnection with the central system circuitry through interfaces 760.Shipper user devices 776 may operate in a manner like that previouslydiscussed to provide communications which enable parcel delivery itemsto be transported through the system and delivered into the interiorarea of an originating repository. As can be appreciated numerousdifferent types of shipper user devices and systems may be operative tocommunicate in the system. The exemplary system further includes one ormore administrator devices schematically indicated 778. Suchadministrator devices may be utilized for purposes of monitoringoperation of other devices in the system, providing the mechanism foradding and removing authorized/registered users of the system, receivingalerts or problems identified through operation of system components,generating reports and other information, and providing other oversightand monitoring functions. Of course it should be understood that thisschematic representation of system components is merely a high levelrepresentation of those system components that are included in anexemplary arrangement.

As has been previously described in detailed examples, the exemplarysystem enables a shipper user to utilize the system to ship a parcelfrom an originating location to a destination location through operationof the shipper user device 776. The shipper user device may be operativeto provide to the system information regarding the shipment such as forexample the ID token associated with the shipper that is recognized bybeing registered or otherwise authorized to participate in the system.With regard to the particular shipment, the shipping user device mayprovide information regarding the delivery item and its transportincluding the originating and destination locations, schedulingrequirements (if applicable), item dimensions, weight characteristicsand markings, and other information such as a funds source for paymentfor the shipment.

The exemplary central system circuitry 752 may operate in accordancewith the information received from the shipper device to determine anoriginating repository and a final destination repository for theparticular parcel. The exemplary central system circuitry may also carryout other functions such as checking for space availability in theoriginating repository. The central system circuitry may also provideother information like that previously discussed, that enables theshipper user to apply a label including machine-readable indicia to theparcel that includes a delivery item identifier (alternatively referredto herein as a parcel identifier) or other information which is usableto identify the particular parcel in the system. The central systemcircuitry may also provide to the shipper user device, locationinformation regarding the designated originating depository, an itemdepositor access code and other information that enables the shipperuser to place the parcel in a designated interior area of theoriginating repository.

The exemplary system circuitry also operates to evaluate available itemcarriers, current item carrier locations and available locationdestinations for item transport. The central system circuitry mayoperate in a manner like that discussed to optimize parcel transport orto consolidate movement of multiple parcels to facilitate the receipt ofsuch parcels at each final destination repository. Central systemcircuitry may also present opportunity messages to item carriers andassign transport jobs to such item carriers. The central systemcircuitry may also monitor such item carriers to assure that performanceof transport jobs is timely commenced, and if not, may reassigntransport jobs to other item carriers.

The exemplary arrangements further enable the central system circuitryto monitor repositories for purposes of determining the placement andremoval of parcels into selected interior areas such as compartments byproviding access to authorized users such as shipper users, itemcarriers, and final parcel recipients. The central system circuitryoperates in coordination with the control circuitry of the repositoriesto monitor the placement, and taking of each parcel between eachoriginating repository and destination repository. Further the exemplarysystem tracks the parcel and assures the desired movement of the parcelto its final destination repository. In some arrangements the systemfurther operates to provide the recipient of each parcel withnotification of the receipt of the parcel at the final destinationrepository. In such arrangements the system provides selectivecontrolled access to enable the recipient to remove the parcel from theinterior area of the final destination repository, and documents thetaking thereof so as to assure that the parcel has been properlydelivered. Further in exemplary arrangements the charges and creditsassociated with the transport of items are provided through the centralsystem circuitry to assure that parcel transports are paid for and thatparticipants in the system are credited as appropriate for theiractivities. Of course it should be understood that the functions,activities and approaches described herein are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

Further as previously discussed in some exemplary arrangements thecentral circuitry may be operated so that item carriers deliver parcelsto the destination address of the recipient. In such arrangements thecentral circuitry may be operative to determine a common route which maybe followed by an item carrier to deliver multiple parcels to therecipient addresses. In such arrangements an item carrier may collectthe parcels from one or more compartments within the interior area of arepository responsive to the central system giving access thereto. Theuser may then utilize their portable wireless device to document thetaking of the parcels from the repository for delivery. Further in someexemplary arrangements the central circuitry may be operative to causethe placement of multiple parcels that will be transported together in agroup or bundle that is collected via placement in a single compartment.This may be done to facilitate the ability of the item carrier to obtainthe items to be transported by the item carrier in a shorter period oftime. In such arrangements the central system may provide the itemcarrier with the destination address of each parcel. The item carriermay then document the delivery of each parcel at the respectivedestination address through operation of their mobile wireless device ina manner like that previously discussed. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

In some exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with theparcel repositories is operative to maintain information concerning theavailable compartment volume in each enclosed compartment space. Thiscapability enables the control circuitry to determine where a particularparcel may be placed within the compartments of a particular repository.Further in exemplary arrangements the ability to determine the availablevolume in compartments enables the control circuitry to determine if aplurality of parcels which may be subsequently transported together as agroup or bundle by an item carrier, can be placed together in a singlecompartment. This capability may facilitate the ability of the itemcarrier to obtain the parcels from the repository so that they can bemore readily accessed and transported to a destination repository orother destination.

In some exemplary systems the at least one data store associated withthe central system circuitry includes data corresponding to informationthat is accessible to item carrier contact devices and that can be usedto facilitate the placement of parcels into and the removal of parcelsfrom repositories. Such additional data is used in exemplaryarrangements to assist item carriers in locating repositories and alsoin carrying out the necessary processes to access and carry out thenecessary parcel transactions at each repository. Such additional datamay also be usable by item carriers to locate areas at customeraddresses where shipments may originate or be delivered.

In some exemplary arrangements the pickup, transport and delivery ofparcels is facilitated by having assigned geographic catchment areasassociated with particular parcel repositories. In exemplaryarrangements a catchment area is a defined geographic region. Inarrangements where parcels are picked up from entities originatingshipments from initial pickup addresses and/or parcels are delivered toparcel recipients at final delivery addresses by item carriers, eachcatchment area may define an area that is associated with a particularparcel repository. For example in some arrangements parcels that arepicked up from a parcel shipment initiating addresses located in acatchment area are generally initially transported by an item carrier toa specific repository that is associated with that catchment area.Likewise if a final delivery address of a parcel recipient is locatedwithin a catchment area, the parcel is generally transported to therepository associated with that catchment area before it is taken by anitem carrier to the final delivery address of the recipient. In otherexemplary arrangements where shippers take their parcels to a repositoryto initiate a shipment, the catchment area in which the address of theshipper is located may determine the repository to which the shipper isdirected. Likewise, in arrangements where the recipient receives theirparcel directly from a repository, the catchment area in which theparcel recipient's address is located may be used to determine therepository to which the parcel is directed. This helps to assure thatthe parcel is delivered to a repository that is in reasonably closeproximity to the recipient's address. While in some exemplaryarrangements a defined geographic catchment area may be used fordefining a region for both pickup and delivery addresses (and/or shipperand recipient addresses) for items going to and from a particularrepository, in other arrangements a single repository may have onecatchment area associated with parcel pickups and a different catchmentarea associated with parcel deliveries. Further in other exemplaryarrangements one repository may be used only for incoming parcels thatwill be transported to another repository, while another repository maybe used only for outgoing “last mile” parcels that will be delivereddirectly from the repository to the final delivery addresses of theparcel recipients by an item carrier. Numerous different arrangementsmay be utilized depending on the requirements and desired operation ofthe particular system.

FIG. 51 represents a plurality of catchment areas 780, 782, 784, 786,788, 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, and 800. Each of the catchment areasrepresents a defined geographic area. Such areas may be bounded bystreets, geographic features, political boundaries or boundaries whichhave been set by the system operator. It should be appreciated that thecatchment areas shown may be a subset of catchment areas and may haveother catchment areas in surrounding relation thereto if the operator ofthe system provides parcel pickups and/or deliveries in adjacentgeographical areas.

A plurality of parcel repositories 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814,816, 818, 820 and 822 are each located within a respective catchmentarea. For example repository 806 is located in catchment area 784. Aspreviously discussed, in exemplary arrangements the central systemcircuitry includes data corresponding to each catchment area and aparticular repository that is located in the respective catchment area.In the at least one data store the data corresponding to each respectiverepository is associated with the one respective catchment area in whichit is located. Further in exemplary arrangements the central circuitryincludes data and circuit executable instructions that enable thedetermination of the respective catchment area in which shippers orinitial pickup addresses are located, as well as the respectivecatchment area associated with recipient and final delivery addressinformation. Further in exemplary arrangements the at least one datastore includes for parcels that are to be transported from an initialpickup address to a final delivery address, data corresponding to therespective pickup and delivery addresses which is usable by the centralsystem circuitry to determine the respective catchment area and therespective parcel repository associated with the catchment area. Inexemplary arrangements the data corresponding to the initial pickupaddress and the final delivery address are stored in associated relationwith the parcel ID and/or other data that uniquely identifies theparticular parcel. Of course it should be understood that this approachis exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 51, because each catchment area abuts anumber of other catchment areas, there can be situations where it isfaster and/or more cost-effective to provide for parcel routing througha repository other than the particular repository that is associatedwith the catchment area in which the initial pickup address or finaldelivery address is located. For example, if a parcel is going to bedelivered at a final delivery address represented 824, the parcel wouldnormally be routed to repository 806 in catchment area 784. However,because of other parcels that are being transported and are planned fordelivery at about the same time, it may be faster and/or morecost-effective to have the parcel that is going to be delivered at finaldelivery address indicated 824, be transported through repository 802,804 or 808. This is because other parcels that are being transportedthrough those repositories may have final delivery addresses in therespective catchment areas that are physically closer to final deliveryaddress 824 than other parcels that are currently planned for deliveryin catchment area 784. This results because as represented in FIG. 51,catchment areas 802, 804 and 808 all include geographic locations thatare in relatively close proximity to final delivery address 824 incatchment area 784.

In order to identify situations where particular parcels may bedelivered more rapidly and/or in a more cost-effective manner by movingthe parcels through repositories other than the repository associatedwith the catchment area in which the final delivery address for theparcel is located, the exemplary system circuitry may carry out a logicflow like that schematically represented in FIGS. 52-56. It should beunderstood that this logic flow is shown in simplified form and mayinclude additional functions and operations. Further as can beappreciated this logic flow may be carried out concurrently by thecentral circuitry with other operations and functions that have beenpreviously described herein.

In the exemplary arrangement the central system circuitry is operativeto determine the routing for parcels that are to be delivered by itemcarriers to respective final delivery addresses. The routingdetermination begins by selection of the particular parcel to beevaluated as represented by step 826. The circuitry is operative toreview the data corresponding to the final delivery address that isstored in the at least one data store in association with the parcel IDor other parcel identifying information. This is represented by step828.

Responsive at least in part to the final delivery address associatedwith the parcel and the stored data and circuit executable instructions,the central system circuitry is operative to determine the particularcatchment area in which the final delivery address is located. This isrepresented by a step 830. In a step 832 the circuitry is operative todetermine if the particular parcel has already been assigned to an itemcarrier for delivery to the final delivery address for the parcel. Thisdetermination is based on the stored data that indicates the itemcarrier assignments that have been made to transport respective parcels.If it is determined in a step 834 that the particular parcel has alreadybeen assigned to an item carrier to be delivered at the respective finaldelivery address, the circuitry operates to remove that particularparcel from consideration as represented in a step 836. The circuitrythen proceeds to select a different parcel for consideration.

If it is determined in step 834 that a final delivery assignment has notyet been made for the particular parcel, the central system circuitrythen operates as represented in a step 838. The circuitry operates todetermine the closest final delivery address for another parcel that isgoing to be delivered in the same respective catchment area. Thecircuitry also operates as represented in a step 840 to determine if afinal delivery assignment has already been made to an item carrier tomake the final delivery of the parcel that has the delivery addressclosest to that of the parcel currently being considered. If the parcelthat has the closest final delivery address to the parcel currentlyunder consideration has already been assigned to an item carrier fordelivery, the exemplary circuitry operates to remove that closest parcelfrom consideration as represented by step 842. The exemplary circuitrythen operates to determine another parcel in the same catchment areawhich has its final delivery address closest to the final deliveryaddress of the parcel being considered.

If in the step 840 it is determined that a final delivery assignment toan item carrier has not yet been made for the parcel having the closestfinal delivery address to the parcel currently being considered, anevaluation is then made as represented by step 844. In step 844 the dataassociated with the other parcel in the at least one data store isreviewed to determine routing data which indicates if the other parcelwill be routed to the repository associated with the catchment area inwhich the final delivery address is located for the parcel currentlyunder consideration. In step 846 a determination is made whether theclosest parcel will be routed to the repository that is associated withthe catchment area in which the final delivery address for the parcelunder consideration is located. If in step 846 it is determined that theother parcel having the closest delivery address to the parcel underconsideration is not going to be routed to the repository associatedwith the catchment area, and circuitry operates to remove that parcelfrom consideration as represented in step 842. The central systemcircuitry then operates to determine another parcel that has its finaldelivery address in the catchment area closest to the final deliveryaddress of the parcel under consideration.

If the other parcel with the closest final delivery address to the finaldelivery address of the parcel under consideration is going to bedelivered to the repository associated with the catchment area in whichthe final delivery address for the parcel under consideration islocated, the circuitry then operates as represented in a step 848 todetermine data corresponding to one or more values that are referred toherein as a transport distance. In some exemplary arrangements thetransport distance may correspond to an absolute distance between thefinal delivery address for the parcel under consideration and the finaldelivery address for the other parcel which has the closest finaldelivery address thereto. In other arrangements the transport distancemay correspond to a distance that an item carrier has to travel betweenthe pair of final item delivery addresses, based on highways that extendbetween the two final delivery addresses. Such analysis may take intoconsideration road closures or other current conditions that affect thedistance. The transport distance as used for the analysis may alsoinclude data corresponding to an estimated time that an item carrier hasto travel between the two final delivery addresses. In some exemplaryarrangements the transport distance may correspond to one or more valuesand/or factors associated with moving the parcel under considerationbetween the closest final delivery address and the final deliveryaddress of the parcel under consideration. In some arrangements the oneor more values and/or factors which comprise the transport distance maybe usable by the system circuitry to determine an incremental cost forhaving an item carrier move the parcel from the closest final deliveryaddress to the final delivery address for the parcel underconsideration.

Further in the exemplary arrangement the central system circuitry isoperative to determine data corresponding to a delivery density. This isrepresented by a step 850. In exemplary arrangements the deliverydensity is one or more values indicative of the number of final deliveryaddresses for other parcels that are currently being transported, andthat are located within a set distance and/or travel time window of thefinal delivery address for the parcel currently under consideration. Ascan be appreciated the number of parcels that have to be deliveredwithin relatively close proximity to the final delivery address for theparcel under consideration, is indicative that an item carrier will beassigned to transport other parcels to final delivery addresses in closeproximity to the final delivery address under consideration. Further inother exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry mayadditionally or alternatively calculate the delivery density for theparcel that has its final delivery address closest to the final deliveryaddress of the parcel under consideration. Alternatively or in additionthe central system circuitry may calculate the delivery density based onthe number of parcels that are expected to need to be delivered within aset proximity to each of the two final delivery addresses. Further inother exemplary arrangements the circuitry may be operative to determinethe delivery density based on other actions that an item carrier may beassigned to carry out in proximity to the final delivery address of theparcel currently subject to consideration, or the other parcel which hasthe closest final delivery address thereto. Such activities may includefor example, an initial parcel pickup at an address that is in proximityto the final delivery address of either parcel. The need for making aninitial parcel pickup in close proximity to one or both of the finaldelivery addresses may be factored into the delivery density to indicatethat an item carrier will be in the immediate area of the final deliveryaddress for the parcel pickup and may also be assigned to make theparcel delivery. Of course it should be understood that these approachesare exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches and otherfactors may be utilized and weighted in making parcel routingdeterminations.

The central system circuitry then operates as represented by step 852 todetermine the catchment areas that are adjacent to the catchment area inwhich the final delivery address for the parcel under consideration islocated. In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry isoperative to determine what is referred to herein as an immediatelyadjacent catchment area. An immediately adjacent catchment area forpurposes hereof refers to a selected catchment area that is determinedthrough operation of the circuitry responsive to certain distancerelationships. An immediately adjacent catchment area is one that willbe analyzed for purposes of determining if a final delivery address of aparcel that is being delivered in the respective immediately adjacentcatchment area may be within a sufficiently short transport distance ofthe final delivery address of the parcel that is currently subject toconsideration, so that it is more cost and/or time effective to have anitem carrier deliver the parcel that is subject to consideration incombination with the parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area,rather than routing the parcel currently subject to considerationthrough the repository that is associated with the catchment area inwhich the final delivery address for such parcel is located. In someexemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may determine theimmediately adjacent catchment areas by determining catchment areas thatare in direct abutting relation with the catchment area in which thefinal delivery address for the parcel currently subject to considerationis located. In other exemplary arrangements the central system circuitrymay determine the immediately adjacent catchment areas by determiningcatchment areas within a set threshold distance of the final deliveryaddress of the parcel that is currently subject to consideration. Thismay include for example, a catchment area that is not in direct abuttingcontact relation with the catchment area in which the final deliveryaddress for the parcel under consideration is located, but whichcatchment area is nonetheless within the set threshold distance. Thissituation may arise for example, when catchment areas are of relativelysmall size. Further in other exemplary arrangements the central systemcircuitry may operate to determine that a catchment area is not animmediately adjacent catchment area even though the catchment area maybe in abutting contact with the catchment area in which the finaldelivery address for the parcel currently under consideration islocated. This may occur for example in situations where a distancebetween the final delivery address for the parcel currently underconsideration and the closest point of abutting contact with theadjacent catchment area is beyond a set threshold distance. Of coursethese approaches for determining the immediately adjacent catchmentareas are exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may beused.

The circuitry operates as represented in a step 854 to select one of theimmediately adjacent catchment areas. A determination is then made asrepresented in a step 856, of the final delivery address for delivery ofanother parcel that is to be delivered in the selected adjacentcatchment area, that is closest to the final delivery address of theparcel currently under consideration. This determination identifiesanother parcel that is currently being moved toward delivery in theimmediately adjacent catchment area that has its associated finaldelivery address closest to the final delivery address of the parcelunder consideration. As can be appreciated from FIG. 51, in somecircumstances the parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area maybe delivered to an address that is closer to the final delivery addressfor the parcel under consideration than other parcels that are availableto be delivered in the same catchment area as the parcel underconsideration. The analysis carried out in the exemplary arrangementoperates to identify such situations to achieve more cost-effectiveand/or timely deliveries of parcels by arranging to have such parcelsrouted through a common repository and delivered to their respectivefinal delivery addresses by the same item carrier.

In the exemplary arrangement the system circuitry then operates asrepresented by step 858 to determine if the parcel having the finaldelivery address in the immediately adjacent catchment area that isclosest to the final delivery address for the parcel underconsideration, has already been assigned to an item carrier for purposesof making the item delivery at the final delivery address. This is donein a manner like that previously described by checking the stored datarecords concerning the particular parcel transport assignments and thefinal delivery assignments that have been made to item carriers. If itis determined in step 858 that the parcel having the closest finaldelivery address has already been assigned for final delivery, theparcel is removed from consideration as represented by step 860, and thecircuitry then operates to identify another parcel which then has theclosest final delivery address.

If the parcel with the closest final delivery address has not yet beenassigned to an item carrier to make the final delivery, the exemplarycircuitry then operates as represented by step 862 to check the data inthe at least one data store indicative that the parcel will be routed tothe repository associated with the respective immediately adjacentcatchment area. A determination is then made as represented in step 864that the parcel having the closest final delivery address will be routedto the repository associated with the immediately adjacent catchmentarea. If in step 864 it is determined that the closest parcel will notbe routed to the repository in the immediately adjacent catchment area,then that parcel is removed from consideration as represented by step860, and the circuitry returns to identify the parcel within theimmediately adjacent catchment area that then has its respective finaldelivery address closest to the final delivery address of the parcelunder consideration.

If the parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area will be routedto the repository associated with that catchment area, the exemplarysystem circuitry is then operative to determine a transport distance asrepresented in step 866. In exemplary arrangements this transportdistance may be calculated in one or more of the ways previouslydescribed. The evaluation is operative to provide at least one valuewhich is indicative of how far and/or how much time it would take for anitem carrier to travel from the final delivery address for the parcel inthe adjacent catchment area to the final delivery address of the parcelcurrently under consideration. The exemplary circuitry also operates asrepresented in step 868 to determine delivery density associated withthe final delivery address for the closest parcel in the immediatelyadjacent catchment area and/or the final delivery address for the parcelunder consideration, including deliveries (and in some arrangements,parcel pickups) in proximity to the final delivery address for theparcel under consideration. Of course as can be appreciated in otherexemplary arrangements other values and factors may be calculated forpurposes of determining the relative time and distance associated withhaving a common item carrier handle both the final delivery of theparcel currently under consideration and the delivery of the closestparcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area.

The exemplary system circuitry then operates in accordance with itscircuit executable instructions to determine if all the immediatelyadjacent catchment areas have been evaluated to determine if a finaldelivery address for a parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment areamay have a more favorable distance, delivery density or other propertiesthat suggest that the parcel under consideration should be handled fordelivery by a common item carrier in conjunction with the closest parcelin that catchment area. The central system circuitry operates in step870 to determine if all the immediately adjacent catchment areas to thecatchment area in which the final delivery address for the parcel underconsideration is located, have been evaluated. If not the logic flowreturns to step 854 to select another immediately adjacent catchmentarea for which to carry out the evaluation related to a parcel in therespective catchment area that has the closest final delivery address tothe parcel currently being evaluated.

In the exemplary arrangement after the central circuitry has evaluatedthe catchment area in which the final delivery address of the parcelunder consideration is located and the immediately adjacent catchmentareas, the central system circuitry then operates to determine a parcelaction status for the parcel currently being evaluated. This isrepresented by a step 872. In the exemplary arrangement the parcelaction status is indicative of a parcel repository in which the parcelunder consideration is currently located or is currently beingtransported to by an item carrier. As can be appreciated, the at leastone data store associated with the central circuitry includes recorddata indicative of this information that is stored in associatedrelation with the parcel ID for the parcel under consideration. Thisrecord data is useful as it indicates where the particular parcel is orwill be in the relatively near future. This action status data can thenbe considered for purposes of deciding the further routing of the parceltoward its final delivery address.

The exemplary circuitry then operates to carry out an evaluation asrepresented by step 874. In exemplary arrangements the circuitry isoperative to evaluate the respective transport distances between theclosest final delivery addresses for respective parcels in the catchmentarea in which the final delivery address for the parcel underconsideration is located, as well as the closest final delivery addressfor a respective parcel in each immediately adjacent catchment area.Further in exemplary arrangements the evaluation includes the deliverydensity information determined for the delivery in each catchment area.As previously discussed the delivery density is indicative of the numberof deliveries (and in some arrangements, pickups) that an item carrierwill need to make within a set proximity of the final delivery addressfor the parcel under consideration and/or the closest parcel. As can beappreciated the higher the delivery density for a given routing approachthe more cost-effective it will generally be to assign a common itemcarrier to make the delivery of both parcels.

Further in exemplary arrangements the evaluation carried out by thecentral system circuitry includes consideration of the parcel actionstatus data. This includes for example, the data corresponding torepository where the parcel is currently located or will soon belocated. In some exemplary arrangements if the parcel action status dataindicates that the parcel under consideration is currently located in arepository associated with a catchment area that is an immediatelyadjacent catchment area to the catchment area in which the finaldelivery address of the parcel is located, and deliveries to finaldelivery addresses in close proximity to the final delivery address ofthe parcel under consideration are going to be made for other parcelsfrom the repository where the parcel under consideration is currentlylocated, then the central system circuitry may determine it is fasterand/or more cost-effective to route the parcel directly from therepository where it is currently located to the final delivery address.The exemplary evaluation in step 874 may also include a determination ofcost data. The cost data may be determined responsive at least in partto the respective transport distance and may include for example, costsassociated with transporting parcels by an item carrier an incrementaldistance within a given catchment area or in a sub geographic areawithin a catchment area where the final delivery address is located.Other cost data may include data corresponding to incremental costsassociated with handling the parcel and transporting it to therepository associated with the catchment area in which the finaldelivery address is located. Such “touch costs” which correspond tohandling costs for transporting the parcel to the repository to which itwould normally be directed may be considered for purposes of determiningthe most cost-effective parcel routing. Cost data may also include or becalculated based on rates payable to item carriers, the delivery densityand associated incremental costs associated with having an item carrierhandle the parcel subject to consideration in addition to other parcelsthat will be routed to nearby final delivery addresses. Other cost datamay also be evaluated of the types previously discussed or of othertypes that are applicable and reflect the costs associated with thedifferent parcel delivery routing options.

In exemplary arrangements the evaluation that is carried out by thesystem circuitry in step 874 may also include consideration of timingdata associated with requirements associated with the particular parcelunder consideration. As previously discussed, certain parcels may haveassociated requirements for delivery to be made within a particular timewindow. Also certain shippers or recipients may be entitled to obtaincertain “service levels” that require parcel deliveries by certaindeadlines. In exemplary arrangements the central circuitry is operativeto evaluate the data corresponding to the parcel under consideration todetermine associated record data in the at least one data storeindicative of a required time for delivery of the parcel. The evaluationmay also include data corresponding to an estimated time to delivery. Inexemplary arrangements the estimated time to delivery may be determinedbased on his historical data for deliveries within a set distance of thefinal delivery address from each respective repository to which theparcel may be routed. The exemplary system circuitry may use theestimated time to delivery information in combination with deliverydensity information to evaluate the parcel routing that will providedelivery of the parcel under consideration to the final delivery addresswithin the required time parameters. Of course the types of evaluationsand associated data that is subject to evaluation are exemplary and inother arrangements other types of evaluations and data may be used.

As represented by step 876 the central system circuitry is thenoperative to make a determination as to the particular repository towhich the parcel under consideration will be routed. As represented bystep 878 the central system circuitry is then further operative to makea determination as to which other parcels may be transported inassociation with the parcel under consideration to the determinedrepository by a single item carrier. As previously discussed, theseother parcels may be parcels which are being transported to theparticular repository for purposes of delivery to a respective finaldelivery address. Other parcels may be transported to the particularrepository as an interim step to move them closer to their respectivefinal destinations. The exemplary circuitry is then operative to selectan item carrier in a manner like that previously discussed to cause theparcel that is subject to consideration as well as other parcels thatare to be bundled therewith, to be transported from the current locationof the parcel under consideration to the selected item repository.Responsive at least in part to the selection of the particular itemcarrier, the exemplary circuitry is then operative to cause at least onemessage to be sent to the carrier contact device of the selected itemcarrier. This is represented by step 880. The at least one message sentto the item carrier will then cause the item carrier to transport theparcel to the designated repository. In the exemplary arrangement thelogic flow of the central system circuitry then operates to return tocarry out the routing analysis for another parcel to determine therouting of that parcel to a respective repository. Of course it shouldbe understood that the logic flow that has been described is exemplaryof approaches that may be taken for determining the routing of a parcelto a repository from which it will then be taken to his final deliveryaddress. Numerous other approaches may be taken utilizing some or all ofthe features that have been described.

Once the parcel has reached the repository from which it will be takenby an item carrier to the final delivery address, the central systemcircuitry operates in a manner like that previously discussed to receivemessages and signals that are indicative that the parcel subject toconsideration has been received in the particular repository to whichthe item carrier has been directed to deliver the parcel. This isrepresented by step 882. The central system circuitry is then operativeto determine a particular route that can be utilized to deliver aplurality of parcels which are positioned in the respective itemrepository to the respective final delivery addresses of the parcels.This is represented by a step 884. The central system circuitry is thenoperative in a manner like that previously discussed to select aparticular available item carrier to make the deliveries of theplurality of parcels to the respective final delivery addresses. Thesystem circuitry is then operative to send messages to the carriercontact device associated with the selected item carrier to access theitems from the repository and to transport the items to each finaldelivery address. This is represented by step 886. Of course as can beappreciated, in exemplary arrangements the circuitry operates to aassure that authorized access is only given to the designated itemcarrier for purposes of being able to remove the proper parcels from therepository and documenting the removal and transport thereof.

Once an item carrier has been given a final delivery assignment for theparticular parcel, the central system circuitry is operative asrepresented in step 888 to include record data in the at least one datastore that indicates that a final delivery assignment has been made forthe particular parcel. As can be appreciated from the prior descriptionof the exemplary logic flow, the final delivery address associated withthe parcel is no longer considered for purposes of determining therouting of other parcels. This is because the particular parcel is nolonger at a stage within the delivery process in which the finaldelivery might be combined with other parcels that have not beendesignated to be delivered along the route that has been assigned to theitem carrier.

The exemplary system circuitry then operates as represented in step 890to acquire the data from the item carrier contact device to document theproper delivery of each parcel at the final delivery destination. Thismay be done in a manner like that previously discussed. Further thecircuitry operates to calculate the amounts that are due to theparticular item carrier who has made the final delivery of the parcel.Calculations are also made related to charges for the shipment of theparcel and the charges are assessed to the entity responsible forpayment. This is represented in step 892. The central system circuitrythen operates to archive the data corresponding to the parcel and thedelivery. The data is stored in the at least one data store for purposesof being able to audit and verify that the proper delivery of the parcelwas made and that the charges and payments associated therewith havebeen properly presented. This is represented by a step 894. Of course itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherarrangements additional steps and operations may be carried out.

In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may operate tocarry out a similar analysis with regard to the initial pickup androuting of parcels to selected repositories. In exemplary arrangementsthe analysis may be carried out concerning the initial pickup addressesat which item carriers are required to pick up parcels in the nearfuture, so that the pickup of each parcel may be carried out in a timelyand cost-effective manner. The exemplary logic flow carried out by thecentral system circuitry in connection with the pickup and routing ofparcels from initial pickup addresses is represented in FIGS. 57-60. Itshould be appreciated that the exemplary logic flow is shown at a highlevel and additional functions and operations may also be carried out inconnection therewith.

In the exemplary arrangement the central circuitry is operative toselect a particular parcel that is to be picked up to initiate ashipment. This is represented by a step 896. The central systemcircuitry is operative to determine the initial pickup addressassociated with the particular parcel as represented in a step 898. Thismay be done in exemplary arrangements through review of the initialpickup address data stored in at least one data store in associatedrelation with the parcel ID or other parcel identifying data. Theexemplary circuitry is then operative to determine the particularcatchment area in which the initial pickup address is located. This isrepresented by a step 900.

The circuitry is then operative as represented by a step 902 to reviewthe stored data to see if there has been an initial pickup assignmentfor the respective parcel to an item carrier. In step 904 adetermination is made as to whether an initial pickup assignment hasalready been made to an item carrier. If in step 904 it is determinedthat an item carrier has already been assigned to make the initialpickup of the particular parcel, the parcel is removed fromconsideration as represented in a step 906. The exemplary circuitry thenoperates to evaluate another parcel.

If in step 904 it is determined that an initial pickup assignment forthe particular parcel under consideration has not yet been made to anitem carrier, the circuitry operates as represented in a step 908 todetermine an initial pickup address for another parcel that is closestto the parcel under consideration and that is within the same catchmentarea. A determination is then made as represented by a step 910 as towhether the closest initial pickup address to the initial pickup addressfor the parcel under consideration, has already been assigned to an itemcarrier for initial pickup. If an initial pickup assignment for theclosest parcel has already been made, the central circuitry removes thatclosest parcel from consideration as represented by step 912. Thecircuitry then operates in accordance with its circuit executableinstructions to determine the parcel having the then closest initialpickup address in the same catchment area as the parcel subject toconsideration.

If the parcel having the closest initial pickup address in the samecatchment area has not been subject to an initial pickup assignment, thecircuitry then operates as represented in a step 914 to review therecord data stored in the at least one data store to verify that theparcel having the closest initial pickup address has been designated tobe transported to the parcel repository associated with the catchmentarea. In step 916 a determination is made that the closest parcel to theparcel under consideration will be routed to the repository associatedwith the particular catchment area in which the initial pickup addressis located for the parcel under consideration. If in the step 916 it isdetermined that the closest parcel to the initial pickup address willnot be routed to the repository associated with the catchment area, thenthe closest parcel is removed from consideration as represented by step912 and a closest initial pickup address for a parcel remaining subjectto consideration is determined.

If in the step 916 it is determined that the parcel having the closestinitial pickup address to the initial pickup address for the parcelsubject to consideration is being routed to the repository for thecatchment area, the central system circuitry is then operative todetermine data corresponding to at least one pickup transport distancevalue. This is represented by a step 918. In exemplary arrangements theat least one the pickup transport distance may correspond to one or moreof an actual direct distance, a travel distance along existing highwaysand/or a time value corresponding to the time that it would take an itemcarrier to travel between the initial pickup addresses for the parcelsubject to consideration and the parcel having the closest initialpickup address within the catchment area. The at least one pickuptransport distance may be determined in a manner like that previouslydiscussed in connection with the determination of at least one deliverytransport distance.

In a step 920 the exemplary system circuitry is operative to determinepickup density. In exemplary arrangements the pickup density may becalculated based on the number of initial pickup addresses locatedwithin a set distance of the initial pickup address for the parcelsubject to consideration, the closest initial pickup address to theparcel under consideration, or both. Further in a manner like thatpreviously discussed, the determination of the delivery density may alsoconsider other actions of an item carrier that may be carried out inproximity to the initial pickup address or addresses. This may includein some arrangements deliveries of other parcels to final deliveryaddresses within a set distance of the initial pickup address of theparcel subject to consideration.

As represented by step 922 the exemplary central circuitry is thenoperative to determine an immediately adjacent catchment area to thecatchment area in which the initial pickup address for the parcelsubject to consideration is located. In a step 924 the circuitryoperates in accordance with its circuit executable instructions toselect an immediately adjacent catchment area. This may be done by thecentral system circuitry in a manner like that previously discussed. Thecircuitry is then operative to determine the initial pickup address forthe parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area that is closest tothe initial pickup address for the parcel that is subject toconsideration. This is represented by step 926. As represented in a step928 a determination is made as to whether the parcel having the closestinitial pickup address in the immediately adjacent catchment area hasalready been assigned to an item carrier for initial parcel pickup. Ifso the initial pickup address for that closest parcel in that catchmentarea is removed from consideration as represented by step 930. Thecircuitry then operates to select the parcel having the closest initialpickup address remaining subject to consideration that is in theimmediately adjacent catchment area.

If the parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area having theclosest initial pickup address to the initial pickup address of theparcel subject to consideration has not been assigned to an item carrierfor pickup, the circuitry then operates as represented in a step 932 tocheck the at least one data store for record data that indicates thatthe parcel having the closest initial pickup address in the immediatelyadjacent catchment area will be routed to the repository associated withthat catchment area. If as represented in step 934 it is determined thatthe parcel with the closest initial pickup address will not be routed tothe repository for the immediately adjacent catchment area, then thatparcel is removed from consideration and the circuitry operates toselect a parcel in the immediately adjacent catchment area that remainsand that has the closest initial pickup address to the initial pickupaddress of the parcel that is subject to consideration.

If the parcel having an initial pickup address in the immediatelyadjacent catchment area is determined in step 934 to be one that will berouted to the repository for that catchment area, the central circuitrythen operates as represented by step 936 to determine data correspondingto at least one pickup transport distance. The at least one pickuptransport distance is determined for the initial pickup address of theparcel subject to consideration and the parcel having the closestinitial pickup address in the adjacent catchment area. Thisdetermination may be carried out in a manner like that previouslydiscussed. Thereafter as represented by a step 938 the exemplarycircuitry is operative to determine the pickup density associated withthe initial pickup addresses (and in some arrangements other itemcarrier activities such as parcel deliveries) that will occur within aset distance of the initial pickup address of the parcel subject toconsideration, the closest initial pickup address the parcel in theimmediately adjacent catchment area, or both.

The exemplary system circuitry then operates in accordance with itscircuit executable instructions to make a determination as representedin a step 940, concerning whether the closest address for an initialparcel pickup has been carried out for all immediately adjacentcatchment areas to the catchment area in which the initial pickupaddress is located for the parcel subject to consideration. Ifadditional immediately adjacent catchment areas remain to be evaluated,the system circuitry then operates to select another immediatelyadjacent catchment area as represented by step 924 and the analysis isrepeated to determine the initial pickup address in the respectiveadjacent catchment area that is closest to the initial pickup address ofthe parcel subject to consideration.

Once the initial pickup addresses for parcels in all the immediatelyadjacent catchment areas to the catchment area in which the initialpickup address is located for the parcel subject consideration have beenevaluated, the circuitry operates as represented by step 942 to carryout an evaluation. The exemplary system circuitry may operate in amanner like that previously discussed to evaluate data such as pickuptransport distance and timing related to having the initial pickup ofthe parcel subject to consideration made in conjunction with otherparcels that will be picked up (and in some arrangements delivered) inthe same catchment area or in the immediately adjacent catchment areas.The evaluation may also include evaluations of data such as timingrequirements associated with the particular parcel ID, cost data, pickupdensity data and other data and weighing factors that may be utilized bythe circuitry to determine suitable timing and cost-effective initialpickup of the parcel subject to consideration.

As represented in a step 944 responsive to the evaluation, the circuitryis then operative to make a determination as to the particular parcelrepository to which the parcel will be routed. The circuitry is thenoperative to evaluate parcels which have initial pickup addresses (andin some arrangements delivery addresses) in proximity and along aparticular route which may be traveled by an item carrier. The exemplarycircuitry then determines a particular route that will be taken by anitem carrier which includes the address for the initial pickup of theparcel that is subject consideration. This is represented by step 946.

The exemplary system circuitry operates in a manner like that previouslydiscussed to determine an available item carrier that can carry out theinitial pickup of the parcel as well as the other parcels that we pickedup along the assigned route. The circuitry then operates as representedby a step 948 to communicate with the carrier contact device of theselected item carrier to instruct the item carrier to pick up the parcelat the initial pickup address and transport the parcel to the selectedrepository. This includes providing the selected item carrier with thecapabilities to access the selected repository so that the parcel may beplaced in the interior area thereof. Further in the exemplaryarrangement the central system circuitry is operative to cause recorddata to be stored in associated relation with the particular parcel toindicate that an initial pickup assignment has been made to an itemcarrier. This is represented by a step 950. The record datacorresponding to the assignment for initial pickup to an item carrier isoperative to cause the particular initial pickup address for the parcelsubject to consideration to no longer be utilized in connection with theevaluation of parcels that can be initially picked up by item carriersin conjunction with other parcels.

As can be appreciated, in exemplary arrangements the central systemcircuitry is operative to enable a parcel at an initial pickup addressto be picked up in coordinated relation with other parcels that arerequired to be picked up at initial pickup addresses in a timely andcost-effective manner. This exemplary arrangement takes intoconsideration the dynamic changing population of other parcels that arecurrently being presented for shipment through the system. This includesparcels in catchment areas that may be outside the catchment area inwhich the initial pickup address is located, but which may be morereadily picked up and transported to a parcel repository than would becarried out if consideration of the initial pickup addresses werelimited to the catchment area in which the initial pickup address islocated. Likewise, parcels that are subject to delivery to a finaldelivery address of the recipient can be delivered in a timely andcost-effective manner due to dynamic consideration of other parcels thatare currently subject to delivery both within the catchment area wherethe final delivery address is located and in adjacent catchment areas.The exemplary approaches further help to more effectively utilize theservices of item carriers and the repositories that are available. Suchcapabilities may include more effectively combining pickups and/ordeliveries for multiple parcels that have been “bundled” for pickupand/or delivery along common routes. Of course these approaches thathave been described are exemplary and in other arrangements otherapproaches may be utilized.

Thus the exemplary arrangements described herein achieve improvedoperation, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices and systems, and attain the useful results described herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the inventive featuresare not limited to the exact features shown and described.

Further in the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art as being capable of carrying out the recitedfunction and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownor described for performing the recited function in the foregoingdescription or mere equivalents thereof.

It should be understood that features and/or relationships associatedwith one arrangement can be combined with features and/or relationshipsfrom another arrangement. That is, various features and/or relationshipsfrom various arrangements can be combined in further arrangements. Theinventive scope of the disclosure is not limited to only thearrangements shown or described herein.

In the foregoing description the referenced circuit executableinstructions or other stored program data shall be deemed to be capableof being included in a non-transitory computer readable medium. The term“non-transitory” with regard to a computer readable medium is intendedto exclude only the subject matter of a transitory signal, per se, wherethe medium itself may be transitory. The term “non-transitory” is notintended to exclude any other form of computer readable media, includingbut not limited to media comprising data or executable instructions thatare only temporarily stored or stored in a temporary manner no matterthe duration of such storage. Should the law change to allow computerreadable medium itself to be transitory signals, then this exclusion isno longer valid or binding.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theexemplary arrangements, the manner in which they are constructed andoperated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new anduseful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus comprising: central system circuitry, wherein thecentral system circuitry is configured to be in operative connectionwith at least one data store, at least one wireless communicationnetwork, a plurality of geographically disposed repositories, whereineach repository is selectively operable to accept and make availableparcels to authorized item carriers, wherein each repository includes abody, wherein the body bounds at least one interior area, wherein eachinterior area is configured to hold at least one parcel, wherein thebody includes a respective opening to one respective interior area, adoor, wherein the door is movably mounted in operative connection withthe body, wherein the door is movable between, a closed position,wherein the door closes the respective opening, an open position,wherein the door is at least partially disposed away from the respectiveopening and the interior area is externally accessible from outside thebody, a lock, wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition, wherein inthe locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in theclosed position, and an unlocked condition, wherein in the unlockedcondition the door is movable from the closed position to the openposition, repository control circuitry, wherein the repository controlcircuitry is in operative connection with, the lock, at least onewireless transceiver, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver isin operative connection with the at least one wireless communicationnetwork, wherein the at least one data store includes data correspondingto each repository of the plurality of repositories, a plurality ofgeographical catchment areas in which parcels may be delivered, whereindata corresponding to one catchment area is associated with datacorresponding to one respective repository, a plurality of parcelidentifiers, wherein each parcel identifier uniquely identifies oneparcel, a plurality of parcel final delivery addresses, wherein onefinal delivery address is associated with each parcel identifier,contact data for each of a plurality of carrier contact devices, whereineach carrier contact device is associated with a respective itemcarrier, a plurality of item carrier parcel delivery assignments,wherein at least some of the parcel delivery assignments include finaldelivery assignments to respective item carriers to deliver parcelsdirectly to the respective final delivery address associated with therespective parcel identifier for the parcel, wherein the central systemcircuitry is operative to cause a) responsive at least in part to therespective final delivery address associated with each respective parcelidentifier, a determination for each parcel of the respective catchmentarea in which the respective final delivery address is located, b) for afirst parcel with an associated first final delivery address determinedin (a) to be within a first catchment area and that does not yet have anassociated final delivery assignment, a determination of a transportdistance, wherein the transport distance corresponds to a shortesttransport distance between the first final delivery address and a secondfinal delivery address in the first catchment area for a second parcelthat has a respective second final delivery address determined in (a) tobe in the first catchment area and which among the parcels determined tohave an associated final delivery address in the first catchment area,the second final delivery address is geographically closest to the firstfinal delivery address, and which second parcel does not yet have anassociated final delivery assignment, c) determination of an alternativetransport distance, wherein the alternative transport distancecorresponds to an alternative shortest transport distance between thefirst final delivery address and a third final delivery address locatedin a second catchment area immediately adjacent to the first catchmentarea, for a third parcel for which the associated third final deliveryaddress is determined in (a) to be in the second catchment area andwhich among such parcels determined to have an associated final deliveryaddress in the second catchment area, the third final delivery addressis geographically closest to the first final delivery address, and whichthird parcel does not yet have an associated final delivery assignment,d) evaluation of data corresponding to the transport distance and thealternative transport distance, e) responsive at least in part to theevaluation in (d), at least one instruction message to be sent to acarrier contact device to direct an item carrier to transport the firstparcel to one of either a first repository associated with the firstcatchment area or a second repository associated with the secondcatchment area.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thecentral system circuitry is further operative to cause f) determinationof a further alternative transport distance, wherein the furtheralternative transport distance corresponds to a further alternativeshortest transport distance between the first final delivery address anda fourth final delivery address located in a third catchment areaimmediately adjacent to the first catchment area and that is other thanthe second catchment area, for a fourth parcel which has an associatedfourth final delivery address determined in (a) to be in the thirdcatchment area and which among such parcels determined to have anassociated final delivery address in the third catchment area, thefourth final delivery address is geographically closest to the firstfinal delivery address, and which fourth parcel does not yet have anassociated final delivery assignment, wherein in (d) data correspondingto the transport distance, the alternative transport distance and thefurther alternative transport distance are evaluated, and wherein in (e)the at least one instruction message directs the item carrier totransport the first parcel to one of either the first repository, thesecond repository, or a third repository associated with the thirdcatchment area.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in (d) theevaluation includes a determination that the transport distance is lessthan the alternative transport distance, wherein in (e) the at least oneinstruction message directs the item carrier to transport the firstparcel to the first repository.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the central system circuitry is further operative to cause priorto (b), a routing determination that the second parcel will be directedto the first repository, wherein in (b) the second parcel is determinedresponsive at least in part to the routing determination.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the central system circuitry isfurther operative to cause prior to (b), a routing determination thatthe second parcel will be directed to the first repository and a furtherrouting determination that the third parcel will be directed to thesecond repository, wherein in (b) the second parcel is determinedresponsive at least in part to the routing determination, and the thirdparcel is determined responsive at least in part to the further routingdetermination.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one data store includes transport cost data, wherein (d) furtherincludes evaluation of the transport cost data.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one data store furtherincludes estimated time to delivery data, wherein (d) further includesevaluation of the estimated time to delivery data.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one data store furtherincludes estimated time to delivery data, wherein the estimated time todelivery data is based at least in part on prior delivery times for atleast one parcel from the first repository to at least one finaldelivery address within a set distance of the first final deliveryaddress, prior delivery times for at least one parcel from the secondrepository to at least one final delivery address within a further setdistance of the third final delivery address, wherein (d) furtherincludes evaluation of the estimated time to delivery data.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the central system circuitry isfurther operative to cause prior to (d), determination of a deliverydensity, wherein the determination of the delivery density is based atleast in part on a number of parcels determined in (a) to have arespective final delivery address in the first catchment area and forwhich a final delivery assignment has not yet been made, within a setdistance of the first final delivery address, wherein (d) furtherincludes evaluation of the delivery density.
 10. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the central system circuitry is further operative tocause prior to (d), determination of a delivery density, wherein thedetermination of the delivery density is based at least in part on anumber of parcels determined in (a) to have a respective final deliveryaddress in the first catchment area and for which a final deliveryassignment has not yet been made, within a set distance of the secondfinal delivery address, wherein (d) further includes evaluation of thedelivery density.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thecentral system circuitry is further operative to cause prior to (d),determination of a delivery density, wherein the determination of thedelivery density is based at least in part on a number of parcelsdetermined in (a) to have a respective final delivery address in thesecond catchment area and for which a final delivery assignment has notyet been made, within a set distance of the third final deliveryaddress, wherein (d) further includes evaluation of the deliverydensity.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the centralsystem circuitry is further operative to cause prior to (d),determination of at least one of a delivery density, wherein thedetermination of the delivery density is based at least in part on anumber of parcels determined in (a) to have a respective final deliveryaddress in the first catchment area and for which a final deliveryassignment has not yet been made, within a first set distance of thefirst final delivery address, a further delivery density, wherein thedetermination of the further delivery density is based at least in parton the number of parcels determined in (a) to have a respective finaldelivery address in the first catchment area and for which a finaldelivery assignment has not yet been made, within a second set distanceof the second final delivery address, an alternative delivery density,wherein the determination of the alternative delivery density is basedat least in part on a further number of parcels determined in (a) tohave a respective final delivery address in the second catchment areaand for which a final delivery assignment has not yet been made, withinan alternative set distance of the third final delivery address, wherein(d) further includes evaluation of at least one of the delivery density,the further delivery density and the alternative delivery density. 13.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one data storefurther includes data corresponding to a parcel action status associatedwith each respective parcel identifier, wherein the parcel action statusassociated with the first parcel is indicative of a respectiverepository in which the first parcel is currently located, wherein (d)further includes evaluation of the data corresponding to the parcelaction status.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one data store further includes data corresponding to a parcelaction status associated with each respective parcel identifier, whereinthe parcel action status associated with the first parcel is indicativeof a respective repository to which the first parcel is currently beingtransported, wherein (d) further one data store further includes datacorresponding to the parcel action status.
 15. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the at least one data store further includes datacorresponding to transport costs, a parcel action status associated witheach of a plurality of parcel identifiers, wherein the parcel actionstatus associated with the first parcel is indicative of a respectivethird repository, wherein the parcel is either currently located in thethird repository or is currently being transported to the thirdrepository, wherein (d) further includes evaluation of the datacorresponding to the parcel action status associated with the firstparcel and transport cost associated with transport from the thirdrepository to at least one of the first repository and the secondrepository.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone data store further includes data corresponding to transport costs, aparcel action status associated with each of a plurality of parcelidentifiers, wherein the parcel action status associated with the firstparcel is indicative of a respective third repository, wherein the firstparcel is either currently located in the third repository or iscurrently being transported to the third repository, wherein (d) furtherincludes evaluation of the data corresponding to the parcel actionstatus associated with the first parcel and transport costs associatedwith transport from the third repository to each the first repositoryand the second repository.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the central system circuitry is further operative to cause in(e) the at least one instruction message to direct the item carrier totransport the first parcel to the first repository, subsequent to (e) afinal delivery assignment message to be sent to a further carriercontact device to direct a further item carrier to transport the firstparcel from the first repository to the first final delivery address,subsequent to (e) data corresponding to a final delivery assignment forthe first parcel to be stored in at least one data store.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the respective catchment areasalso correspond to areas in which parcels may be picked up from shippersto initiate parcel shipments, wherein the at least one data storefurther includes data corresponding to a plurality of parcel initialpickup addresses, wherein each initial pickup address is associated withdata corresponding to one respective parcel identifier, a plurality ofitem carrier parcel pickup assignments, wherein at least some of theparcel pickup assignments include initial pickup assignments torespective item carriers to pick up a respective parcel directly from ashipper at the respective initial pickup address associated with therespective parcel identifier, wherein the central system circuitry isfurther operative to cause f) responsive at least in part to therespective initial pickup address associated with each respective parcelidentifier, a determination for each parcel of the respective catchmentarea in which the associated initial pickup address is located, g) for afourth parcel with an associated first initial pickup address determinedin (f) to be within the first catchment area and that does not yet havean associated initial pickup assignment, determination of a pickuptransport distance, wherein the pickup transport distance corresponds toa shortest pickup transport distance between the first initial pickupaddress and a second initial pickup address in the first catchment areafor a fifth parcel that has an associated second initial pickup addressdetermined in (f) to be in the first catchment area and which among theparcels determined to have an associated initial pickup address in thefirst catchment area, the second initial pickup address isgeographically closest to the first initial pickup address, and whichfifth parcel does not yet have an associated initial pickup assignment,h) determination of an alternative pickup transport distance, whereinthe alternative pickup transport distance corresponds to an alternativeshortest pickup transport distance between the first initial pickupaddress and a third initial pickup address located in the secondcatchment area for a sixth parcel which has the associated third initialpickup address determined in (f) to be in the second catchment area andwhich among such parcels determined to have the associated initialpickup address in the second catchment area, the third initial pickupaddress is geographically closest to the first initial pickup address,and which sixth parcel does not yet have an associated initial pickupassignment, i) evaluation of data corresponding to the pickup transportdistance and the alternative pickup transport distance, j) responsive atleast in part to the evaluation in (i), at least one pickup instructionmessage to be sent to a carrier contact device to direct an item carrierto pickup the fourth parcel at the associated first initial pickupaddress and transport the fourth parcel to one of either the firstrepository or the second repository.
 19. The apparatus according toclaim 18 wherein the central system circuitry is further operative tocause k) determination of a further alternative pickup transportdistance, wherein the further alternative pickup transport distancecorresponds to a further alternative shortest pickup distance betweenthe first initial pickup address and a fourth initial pickup addresslocated in a third catchment area that is an immediately adjacentcatchment area to the first catchment area and that is other than thesecond catchment area, for a seventh parcel which has the associatedfourth initial pickup address determined in (f) to be in the thirdcatchment area and which among such parcels determined to have anassociated initial pickup address in the third catchment area, thefourth initial pickup address is geographically closest to the firstinitial pickup address, and which seventh parcel does not yet have anassociated initial pickup assignment, wherein in (i) data correspondingto the pickup transport distance, the alternative pickup transportdistance and the further alternative pickup transport distance areevaluated, and wherein in (i) the at least one further instructionmessage directs the item carrier to transport the fourth parcel to oneof either the first repository, the second repository, or a thirdrepository associated with the third catchment area.
 20. Apparatuscomprising: central system circuitry, wherein the central systemcircuitry is configured to be in operative connection with at least onedata store, at least one wireless communication network, a plurality ofgeographically disposed repositories, wherein each repository isselectively operable to accept and make available parcels to authorizeditem carriers, wherein each repository includes a body, wherein the bodybounds at least one interior area, wherein each interior area isconfigured to hold at least one parcel, wherein the body includes arespective opening to one respective interior area, a door, wherein thedoor is movably mounted in operative connection with the body, whereinthe door is movable between  a closed position, wherein the door closesthe respective opening,  an open position, wherein the door is at leastpartially disposed from the respective opening and the interior area isexternally accessible from outside the body, a lock, wherein the lock isin operative connection with the door, wherein the lock is changeablebetween  a locked condition, wherein in the locked condition the lock isoperative to hold the door in the closed position, and  an unlockedcondition, wherein in the unlocked condition the door is movable fromthe closed position to the open position, repository control circuitry,wherein the repository control circuitry is in operative connection withthe lock, at least one wireless transceiver, wherein the at least onewireless transceiver is in operative connection with the at least onewireless communication network, wherein the at least one data storeincludes data corresponding to each repository of the plurality ofrepositories, a plurality of geographical catchment areas in whichparcels may be picked up from shippers to initiate parcel shipments,wherein data corresponding to one catchment area is associated with datacorresponding to one respective repository, a plurality of parcelidentifiers, wherein each parcel identifier uniquely identifies oneparcel, a plurality of parcel initial pickup addresses, wherein eachinitial pickup address is associated with data corresponding to onerespective parcel identifier, contact data for each of a plurality ofcarrier contact devices, wherein each carrier contact device isassociated with a respective item carrier, a plurality of item carrierparcel pickup assignments, wherein at least some of the parcel pickupassignments include initial pickup assignments to respective itemcarriers for pickup of a respective parcel directly from a shipper atthe respective initial pickup address associated with the respectiveparcel identifier, wherein the central system circuitry is operative tocause a) responsive at least in part to the respective initial pickupaddress associated with each respective parcel identifier, adetermination for each parcel of the respective catchment area in whichthe associated initial pickup address is located, b) for a first parcelwith an associated first initial pickup address determined in (a) to bewithin the first catchment area and that does not yet have an associatedinitial pickup assignment, a determination of a pickup transportdistance, wherein the pickup transport distance corresponds to ashortest pickup distance between the first initial pickup address and asecond initial pickup address in the first catchment area for a secondparcel that has the associated second initial pickup address determinedin (a) to be in the first catchment area and which among the parcelsdetermined to have an associated initial pickup address in the firstcatchment area, the second initial pickup address is geographicallyclosest to the first initial pickup address, and which second parceldoes not yet have an associated initial pickup assignment, c)determination of an alternative pickup transport distance, wherein thealternative pickup transport distance corresponds to an alternativeshortest pickup transport distance between the first initial pickupaddress and a third initial pickup address located in a second catchmentarea, wherein the second catchment area is an immediately adjacentcatchment area to the first catchment area, for a third parcel which hasan associated third initial pickup address determined in (a) to be inthe second catchment area and which among such parcels determined tohave an associated initial pickup address in the second catchment area,the third initial pickup address is geographically closest to the firstinitial pickup address, and which third parcel does not yet have anassociated initial pickup assignment, d) evaluation of datacorresponding to the pickup transport distance and the alternativepickup transport distance, e) responsive at least in part to theevaluation in (d), at least one pickup instruction message to be sent toa carrier contact device to direct an item carrier to pick up the firstparcel at the associated first initial pickup address and transport thefirst parcel to one of either a first repository associated with thefirst catchment area or a second repository associated with the secondcatchment area.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the atleast one data store further includes data corresponding to a pluralityof parcel final delivery addresses, wherein one final delivery addressis associated with each parcel identifier, a plurality of item carrierparcel delivery assignments, wherein at least some of the parceldelivery assignments include final delivery assignments to respectiveitem carriers to deliver parcels directly to the respective finaldelivery address associated with the respective parcel identifier forthe parcel, wherein the central system circuitry is further operative tocause f) responsive at least in part to the respective final deliveryaddress associated with each respective parcel identifier, determinationfor each parcel of the respective catchment area in which the respectivefinal delivery address is located, g) for a fourth parcel with anassociated first final delivery address determined in (f) to be withinthe first catchment area and that does not yet have an associated finaldelivery assignment, a determination of a transport distance, whereinthe transport distance corresponds to a shortest transport distancebetween the first final delivery address and a second final deliveryaddress in the first catchment area for a fifth parcel that has therespective second final delivery address determined in (f) to be in thefirst catchment area and which among the parcels determined to have anassociated final delivery address in the first catchment area, thesecond final delivery address is geographically closest to the firstfinal delivery address, and which fifth parcel does not yet have anassociated final delivery assignment, h) determination of an alternativetransport distance, wherein the alternative transport distancecorresponds to an alternative shortest transport distance between thefirst final delivery address and a third final delivery address locatedin the second catchment area for a sixth parcel for which the associatedthird final delivery address is determined in (f) to be in the secondcatchment area and which among parcels determined to have an associatedfinal delivery address in the second catchment area, the third finaldelivery address is geographically closest to the first final deliveryaddress, and which sixth parcel does not yet have an associated finaldelivery assignment, i) evaluation of the data corresponding to thetransport distance and the alternative transport distance, j) responsiveat least in part to the evaluation in (i), at least one deliveryinstruction message to be sent to a carrier contact device to direct anitem carrier to transport the fourth parcel to either the firstrepository or the second repository.
 22. Apparatus comprising: centralsystem circuitry, wherein the central system circuitry is configured tobe in operative connection with at least one data store, at least onewireless communication network, a plurality of geographically disposedrepositories, wherein each repository is selectively operable to acceptand make available parcels to authorized item carriers, wherein eachrepository includes a body, wherein the body bounds at least oneinterior area, wherein each interior area is configured to hold at leastone parcel, wherein the body includes a respective opening to onerespective interior area, a door, wherein the door is movably mounted inoperative connection with the body, wherein the door is movable between,a closed position, wherein the door closes the respective opening, anopen position, wherein the door is at least partially disposed away fromthe respective opening and the interior area is externally accessiblefrom outside the body, a lock, wherein the lock is in operativeconnection with the door, wherein the lock is changeable between alocked condition, wherein in the locked condition the lock is operativeto hold the door in the closed position, and an unlocked condition,wherein in the unlocked condition the door is movable from the closedposition to the open position, repository control circuitry, wherein therepository control circuitry is in operative connection with, the lock,at least one wireless transceiver, wherein the at least one wirelesstransceiver is in operative connection with the at least one wirelesscommunication network, wherein the at least one data store includes datacorresponding to each repository of the plurality of repositories, aplurality of geographical catchment areas in which parcels may bedelivered, wherein data corresponding to one catchment area isassociated with data corresponding to one respective repository, aplurality of parcel identifiers, wherein each parcel identifier uniquelyidentifies one parcel, a plurality of parcel final delivery addresses,wherein one final delivery address is associated with each parcelidentifier, contact data for each of a plurality of carrier contactdevices, wherein each carrier contact device is associated with arespective item carrier, wherein the central system circuitry isoperative to cause a) responsive at least in part to the respectivefinal delivery address associated with each respective parcelidentifier, a determination for each parcel of the respective catchmentarea in which the respective final delivery address is located, b) for afirst parcel with an associated first final delivery address determinedin (a) to be within a first catchment area, a determination of atransport distance, wherein the transport distance corresponds to ashortest transport distance between the first final delivery address anda second final delivery address in the first catchment area for a secondparcel that has a respective second final delivery address determined in(a) to be in the first catchment area and which among the parcelsdetermined to have an associated final delivery address in the firstcatchment area, the second final delivery address is geographicallyclosest to the first final delivery address, c) determination of analternative transport distance, wherein the alternative transportdistance corresponds to an alternative shortest transport distancebetween the first final delivery address and a third final deliveryaddress located in a second catchment area immediately adjacent to thefirst catchment area, for a third parcel for which the associated thirdfinal delivery address is determined in (a) to be in the secondcatchment area and which among such parcels determined to have anassociated final delivery address in the second catchment area, thethird final delivery address is geographically closest to the firstfinal delivery address, d) evaluation of data corresponding to thetransport distance and the alternative transport distance, e) responsiveat least in part to the evaluation in (d), at least one instructionmessage to be sent to a carrier contact device to direct an item carrierto transport the first parcel to one of either a first repositoryassociated with the first catchment area or a second repositoryassociated with the second catchment area.
 23. The apparatus accordingto claim 22 wherein the respective catchment areas also correspond toareas in which parcels may be picked up from shippers to initiate parcelshipments, wherein the at least one data store further includes datacorresponding to a plurality of parcel initial pickup addresses, whereineach initial pickup address is associated with data corresponding to onerespective parcel identifier, wherein the central system circuitry isfurther operative to cause f) responsive at least in part to therespective initial pickup address associated with each respective parcelidentifier, a determination for each parcel of the respective catchmentarea in which the associated initial pickup address is located, g) for afourth parcel with an associated first initial pickup address determinedin (f) to be within the first catchment area, determination of a pickuptransport distance, wherein the pickup transport distance corresponds toa shortest pickup transport distance between the first initial pickupaddress and a second initial pickup address in the first catchment areafor a fifth parcel that has an associated second initial pickup addressdetermined in (f) to be in the first catchment area and which among theparcels determined to have an associated initial pickup address in thefirst catchment area, the second initial pickup address isgeographically closest to the first initial pickup address, h)determination of an alternative pickup transport distance, wherein thealternative pickup transport distance corresponds to an alternativeshortest pickup transport distance between the first initial pickupaddress and a third initial pickup address located in the secondcatchment area for a sixth parcel which has the associated third initialpickup address determined in (f) to be in the second catchment area andwhich among such parcels determined to have the associated initialpickup address in the second catchment area, the third initial pickupaddress is geographically closest to the first initial pickup address,i) evaluation of data corresponding to the pickup transport distance andthe alternative pickup transport distance, j) responsive at least inpart to the evaluation in (i), at least one pickup instruction messageto be sent to a carrier contact device to direct an item carrier topickup the fourth parcel at the associated first initial pickup addressand transport the fourth parcel to one of either the first repository orthe second repository.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereinthe at least one data store further includes data corresponding to aplurality of item carrier parcel delivery assignments, wherein at leastsome of the parcel delivery assignments include final deliveryassignments to respective item carriers to deliver parcels directly tothe respective final delivery address associated with the respectiveparcel identifier for the parcel, and a plurality of item carrier parcelpickup assignments, wherein at least some of the parcel pickupassignments include initial pickup assignments to respective itemcarriers to pick up a respective parcel directly from the shipper at therespective initial pickup address associated with the respective parcelidentifier, wherein in (b) the first parcel does not yet have associateddata corresponding to a final delivery assignment, and the second parceldoes not yet have associated data corresponding to a final deliveryassignment, wherein in (c) the third parcel does not yet have associateddata corresponding to a final delivery assignment, wherein in (g) thefourth parcel does not yet have associated data corresponding to aninitial pickup assignment, and the fifth parcel does not yet haveassociated data corresponding to an initial pickup assignment, whereinin (h) the sixth parcel does not yet have associated data correspondingto an initial pickup assignment.